A Smart Youngster.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 6046, 11 September 1894, Page 3

A Smart Youngster.

There are some good stories connected with every trade. Here is one for the saddlers. A London saddler who did a large booking business among undergraduates, heirs to estates, and fox hunting country gentlemen, give a rather green and gawky nephew a place as shop hand. One day when the sawney youth had been in the place a week or two, the saddler left him in charge one morning. Shortly after a hansom dashed up to the door and a gentleman in a tremendous hurry jumped oat and ran into the shop.

"Here, you fellow, give me one of your best pigskins," With that he tapped one impatienttly with his hunting crop. " What's the price ?" " "It is—er—ten guineas, sir," replied the flustered youth. " All right. Chuck it in the cab. There, damn me! Can't you move 1 What are you staring at ? Where's ' (naming the saddler). " If you please, sir, he's out this morning," replied the trembling youth. " Oh, well, tell him I called," the gentleman cried over his shouldr as he followed the saddle into the cab. Then to the jarvey he shouted, "Drive like sheol to King's Crossf' j And he was off, leaving the youth standing there as if he had been struck dumb. When the saddler came home he was told of the sale, and praised his nephew as having done a good morning's work. " Who did you say he was ?" " Why, that is the unfortunate part of it. He was in such a hurry that I got flustered and didn't ask ask him." " Well, what a idiot you must be."

"Leave it to me, uncle. lam sending the accounts out at the end of the month."

" Very well. I'll hold you responsible, mind." No more was said till the end of the first week of the next month, when uncle asked one day, " Ever hear who got that saddle 1"

" No, uncle, I didn't. I charged all the best customers, and five 'em have paid for it already ! "