WHO STOLE THE BRANDY?

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 336, 22 May 1877, Page 4

WHO STOLE THE BRANDY?

The Christchurch correspondent of the Daily Times tells the following : Two gentlemen who happened to have taken up a temporary residence at one of the leading hostelries of this city were considerably exercised in their minds last week at the gradual diminution in their stock of superior brown brandy, and could in no way account for its disappearance. They accordingly set a plant to catch the base appropriator of the liquor. They went to a chemist and purchased a sufficient number of grains of antimony to make about a quarter of a bottle of the brandy rather fetching in its results. They mixed the decoction, left the bottle in the usual place in the cupboard, and retired for the night. Next morning on visiting the cupboard they were astonished to find the entire contents of the bottle missing. Knowing that the amount of antimony was supplied with a view of rendering one good "nip" out of the bottle certainly effective, tl.ey were not prepared to find that all threa "nips" had gone, and most probably down the same oesophagus. Soon after news was brought to them that one of the waiters was taken violently ill. They rushed to the chemist, who was aghast at hearing that all the antimony was gone. "Why," said he, "the man will die." Doctors were sent for, and antidotes given, and after a very severe bout of it the patient revived. But the best part of the story is to come. The waiter, of course, received notice to leave, and the following morning was fixed as the date of his departure. Our friends being perfectly satisfied at having discovered the purloiner of their brandy left the bottle as usual, never dreaming that the offender dare venture upon another dose. They were mistaken. Next morning when they went to the cupboard they found that the bottle had vanished !