Profitable Carelessness.

Otago Witness, Issue 2076, 7 December 1893, Page 49

Profitable Carelessness.

A very amusing story is told of a harnessmaker who lived some years ago in London. He had a handsome saddle in his shop, occupying a conspicuous position therein. On his return from luncheon one day he observed that the saddle was gone. Calling to his foreman, he said :

" John, who has bought the saddle ? " "I'm sure I don't know, sir." said the foreman, scratching his head as if he were trying to think. " I cannot tell, and the worst part of it is, it hasn't been paid for. While I was at work in the back of the shop a gentleman came in, priced it, decided to take it, told me to charge it, and throwing it into his trap s drove off before I could think to ask his name."

" That was very stupid of you," said the har-ness-maker, disposed to be angry at the man's carelessness. "Very likely we have been robbed."

" I don't think that, sir," said the foreman, "f or I am very sure that the gentleman has trader! hero before."

" Well, I can't afford to lose the money," said the harness maker. "We'll have to find out who took it and send him the bill. Ah ! " he added, with a smile, after a moment's reflection, "I have it. We'll charge it up to the

account of every one' of our customers who keep open accounts here. Those who didn't get it will refuse to pay, so we shall be all right," The bookkeeper was instructed to do tbftfy and the bills in due course of time" went out* 1 Some weekn later the harness maker asfised tho ' bookkeeper i( he had succeeded in discording ; who the customer was. " "Wo, sir," he replied, "and we never shall,I fear, sir, for about <ft) people have paid for it already without saying a word."