A Tragedy in Four Acts.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 91

A Tragedy in Four Acts.

' - -.' Aot { i. A gentleman,- irreproachably dressed, goes into a confectioner's shop in Paris, and says to the polite proprietor: "I want. 150 of the nicest cream tarts you can make." ' "A hundred and fifty! That is a pretty large order. Do you want them ai once?" "Within three hours at the latest." • " "I. can have them, ready, in that time. Ahem! It is customary to ask a deposit on such orders — say, 10 francs." "Certainly, my friend. Here are your 10 francs."

Aot ii. About two hours' later, a gentleman, irreproachably dressed] goes into a tailor's shop across the way from the pastrycook's, and aska; to be shown some overcoats. He selects* one of the nicest, and asks the price. < "One hundred and twenty-five francs, sir." "Very well; I will take it. I have some money to collect at the confectioner's across, the way. I presume you have .no objection to let one of your young men come. over with me to get it?'- " *'Oertainly not. A worthy man is my

friend Mr Puff," Act iii. ' s To confectioner ' enter irreproachably-" .dressed gentleman, bow wearing an overcoat, and tailor's young man. The confectioner greets the former with the respectful friendliness due to a good customer "Ah, Puff,, I've «aUed round for that, one hundred and fifty. You "promised to have them for me at 2.30." "You shall have them 1 in five minutes, sir." "Very well. I have to go round. -the corner to see a, man. You will give tbis youn# gentleman one hundred and twentyfive of the one hnndred and fifty. I will return and get the* remaining twenty-five myself in a few moments.*' "With pleasure, sir." ;' Act 'iv. Five minutes, later the confectioner give? the tailor's young nian one 4 hundred and twenty-five cream tarte, and a bill for balance thereon, twenty-one francs twentyfive centimes- .One minute thereafter a .confectioner, and a tailor's young- man are scouring the neighbourhood in search of an irreproachably-dressed gentleman -with a new overcoat.