The Book Fiend.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 3, Issue 10, 5 February 1892, Page 2

The Book Fiend.

The other day a Picturesque Atlas T,gent called at a farmer's house in the Taieri districts to deliver a complete set of the atlas parts. The agent was rather surprised to be very cordially received, and hjvited into the best room, instead of, as he expected, being met with a firm refusal to take de-

livery, and probably have the door shut in his face. The books were

handed over and accepted in good spirit by the farmer, who laid them by. When the agent asked for payment the farmer, with a twinkle in his eye, said the agent must apply to the Official Assignee for that, because the state of his affairs had compelled him to file his schedule a few days previously. Therefore he could expect no money from liim then. The agent then begged that the farmer give him back his books. This the;? farmer could not possibly do. After a good deal of persuasion the farmer ultimately agreed to return the books on the condition that the agent gave him a clear receipt from any future liability in connection with the work should he be able to get through his bankruptcy all right. This the agent willingly gave, and the books were handed back. At his hotel the agent related his transactions with the farmer. The words that the wicked agent said when he was told that the farmer in question, far from being a bankrupt, was worth thousands of pounds are too expressive for reproduotioxu—Qlobo,