A SHREWD SIMPLETON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1108, 22 May 1883, Page 3

A SHREWD SIMPLETON.

The We3t Australian is responsible for the following :—" A Sydney merchant heard of some highly desirable blocks in the Northern Territory which he determined to take up. There were a good many forms to (ill in for to the Lands Office at Adelaide, and, seeing that the first applicant always gets, the preference, it was desirable to be particularly careful that no one likely to make use of it improperly should obtain the information as to boundaries of which he was possassed, an<S which would have to appear in his applications. So he picked out of his clerks a shock-headed office lad named Jason to do the clerical work, because, being the stupidest man in his employ, he seemed likely to bo the safest. He gave Jason the forms, and showed him how to fill in the descriptions. When evening came Jason had not finished his task which caused the merchant some annoyance, as the mail left for Adelaide that night. Next morning the work was done, and the applications were despatched by the first opportunity. In time a reply was received to the effect that the land in question had already been taken up. Enquiries elicited the information that the successful applicant was a Sydney man rejoicing in the name of Jason. Seized with well-grounded suspicions, the merchant sought his office lad, and asked him whether he had any relatives of the same name as himself, and whether he had furnished such relative with information respecting the applications he had filled in? ' No,' said the boy, with the utmost coolness, ' 1 took the land up myself.' ' Then you will be good enough to transfer it at once to me,' replied our merchant, boiling over with rage. I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Jason. Thereupon Jason was summarily expelled The youth had despatched his own applications on the day he received the forms, taking care that his maste -'s should not be ready for that mail. In order to pay the deposit he had to borrow £2OO, which he had some difficulty in doing. A day or two after his expulsion from the merchant's office he presented himself to his creditor, and asked him whether he wished to have his loan returned. ' Ah, I shall be only too glad,' said the latter,' even without interest.! ' Without interest ? No fear !' said Jason,' I'll be generous.' Sitting down he wrole out a cheque for £IOOO. A little later he had married a wife and departed for England, taking with him £IB,OOO, whiah he had netted by his land speculation."