BROTHER JONATHAN OUTWITTED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 700, 20 May 1879, Page 2

BROTHER JONATHAN OUTWITTED.

We take the following from, the Ash' ' burton Mail of a late daie, ; which refers to a "professor" whio not long since visited Gisborne :-— ; •- ■ ; ' > '■' Strolling . players, especially when they happen to be Yankee, have a reputation for smartness, but occasionally they meet with more than their match. Quite recently one of these gentlemen had an adventure m Ashburton which, if ever he writes his biography, he will be able to include among his bitter experiences. He had occupied the Town Hall for a couple of evenings, when it occurred to him that he ought to retain possession of the key of the side door. The keeper was spoken to on the ; subject, Jonathan pointed out that his object for retaining the key, was to be able to remove his valuables m case of a fire at sight. Although yielding, the hall-keeper thought he smelt a rat, so after the hall had been^ locked up for the night, he returned, and quietly barricaded the side entrance. About six next morning an express stood m readiness opposite the door, and Jonathan was to be seen vainly endeavouring to gain admission with the view of removing his effects to the railway station, m time fbtfvthe down train to Dunedin. The hall-keeper was on the alert, and like an early bird • ha oaught his worm. "Hilloa," he ■ remarked, " I didn't hear the sound oi fire." "No I guess not," replied Jonathan, "but something's wrong with this here door ; the darned thing won't work." "No, friend," I believe it wants a seven guinea key to open it ' just now. When you settle for the hall you oan get your traps." "Why, you don't think me a rogue do youl" said the other getting a little excited. "Oh ! no," was the cool reply, " but I'm not a new chum. We never leave these things to chance m these parts." There was a slight discussion ending m the would be Mr. Sloper offering the hall-keeper five guineas m payment *' and the other insisting on a payment m full. " Why you see we've done rather badly," said the persuasive stranger, " take the fiver, and if #ie directors say a word about it, I'll remit the rest." v Ah, no," was the resolute rejoinder, " that's not my style of doing business. Pay me the seven guineas, and if the directors allow anything off, I'll send it after you." The money was paid, the luggage was released and with the exclamation, " tarnation cute people m these parts." Mr. Jonathan winged his way to the railway station."