Too Clever for Them.

Otago Witness, Issue 2168, 12 September 1895, Page 49

Too Clever for Them.

A certain captain included amongst his cargo a couple of gallon j*rs of floe brundr. Inci- | dentally, he also included a remarkably smart and intelligent cabin boy. The worthy skipper had % deep-rooted aversion to the> iuconvo- ' nient curiosity of the revenue officers — in ' short, he desired to land his brandy without I their aid. Upon berthing his vessel alongside the quay, a plunk was pushed on to the jetty, and as soon as the patrol oame within a few yards, the cabin boy, carrying tho jars, stepped ashore, and w»s immediately accosted by the customs officer. The following dialogue en* sued :— '• Well, my l»d, what have you got there ? ' " Oan't tell you, sir." " But you must." "Captain said I wasn't to, sir." " Oh, but I'm a Custom Houoe offioer, ray boy, and if you don't tell me what jou havo there 1 shall call that constable over yonder and have yoa arrested." " Well, sir, captain'll just kill mo if he kuowe. He said I was to take the jars to Mr — — " (mentioning officer's nnmo), il No. 12, BB — — street, with his compliments." " Oh, yes ; I see. It's all right : I'm Mr . Here's a shilling for your honesty ; and see, go out this way." The officer is still waiting for the arrival o£ that boy and brandy ; and will have to wait.