The Biter Bit.

Otago Witness, Issue 1897, 12 June 1890, Page 42

The Biter Bit.

Monsieur Calino is a practical humourist. Not long since he was caught in a shower without an umbrella. He sought refuge under the doorway of the Opera House. It was 6 o'clock, and he had an appointment with a friend at the Cafe de Paris at that very hour. What will he do 1 The rain is falling in torrents. Just at this crisis a gentleman with a large umbrella passes. Calino has a Napoleonic mind. He rushed over to the stranger, and taking him confidentially by the arm walked along with him, under his umbrella, saying : " I'm glad I've met you. I've been looking for you for three weeks, old chum, to tell you about my affair with Olemantina." Calino kept on talking to the man, whom he had never seen before, telling a trumped-up story about some unknown Clemantina, not allowing the stranger to get in a word, until they had reached the Caf6 de Paris. Then Calino said : " I beg ten thousand pardons. I mistook you tor a friend. Don't give me away. Thanks I " and he darted into the caf6. One of his friends observed that Calino's cravat was in disorder, whereupon it was discovered that his diamond pin, likewise his watch and purse, were missing. He had been confidential to one of the most expert pickpockets in Paris.