Too Sharp for Once.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 70

Too Sharp for Once.

A very wealthy English coal master, who possessed several extensive estates in the Highlands aa well as in .various English jouu-

ties, was a perfect marvel in the way of eccentricity. His English mansion was W Hall. He was an ardent sportsman and game preserver, but a miserable shot. He was gifted with an inordinate amount of suspicion of his servants as well as of other people — never was satisfied that anything was done right when not in his own presence. Ha was possessed of a sailing smack in which he visited the Highlands every summer, and generally had on board various stores for the estates. On one occasion he resolved on his return south to surprise his keeper at W Hall. Somehow the latter heard that Mr X was to be home on such a day. Knowing the character of his master he was on the alert in a copse bordering the road at midnight when he heard two shots fired quite near him. He bounded over the fence, and had the poacher clown in a trice, and went on hammering him seriously. "I am Mr X . Stop, stop !" "You Mr X , you most confounded scoundrel ! Take this, and this, and this for telling lies!" — thump, thump, thump. "I'll make you feel that my master is a gentleman incapable of poaching, and you'll go before the justices in the morning" — whack, whacfe, whack. "Oh, John, lamMr X . Come to the Hall and see." John was still seemingly suspicious, and so. catching the victim by the collar of his coat, he gave him another rough shaking on the way. On getting to the hail he recognised his employer, and was profusely apologising ior his conduct, when Mr X said : "I am glad I have such a good keeper," and, although very mean in money matters, he jrave John a rather handsome coin, and sent him out to watch for other poachers.