TOO MUCH CREDIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1947, 2 June 1874, Page 3

TOO MUCH CREDIT.

♦ The PUtsburg Chronicle tells the following good story : — Mr Koono, a shrowd and thrifty farmer of Allenborough, owned a large flock of sheep, and ono autumn, when it came housing time, ho was greatly annoyed upon missing a number of his finest muttons, among them threo or four wethers which ho had raised and fattened for his own table. Ho was sure it was the work of dogs, and the most ho oould do was to await further developments. On the following spring, when his sheep were turned out, he instituted a careful watch, and ore long dotected Tom Stickney, a neighbouring farmer, in the act of pilfering a sheep ; but ho made no noise about it at the time. Stickney was a man well to d», and Keene did not care to expose him. Autumn came again, and on counting up his flock. Mr Keeno found eight sheep missing. He made out a bill in duo form to Thomas Stiokney for eight sheep, and presented it. Stickney choked and stammered, but did not break down. Like a prudent man ho paid the bill and pocketed the receipt. Another Bpring time came, and Mr Keono's sheep wore again turned out. Another autumn came, and the farmer took account of his stock, and this time fifteen sheep wer& missing' As before, ho made out the bill to Tom Stickney for the whole number missing ; but this time Tom objected. " It is too much of a good thing," said he. " Fifteen sheep ! Why, bless your soul, I hadn't a fifth part of 'em." Mr Keono was inexorable. " There is the bill," said he, " and I have made it out in good faith. I have mado no fuss when my shoep hava been missing, because I doemed your crodit good and sufficient." " Well," groaned Tom with a big gulp, " I suppose I must pay ; but," he added emphatically, " we'll close that account from this time. You have given mo too much crodit altogothor — somo other rascal has been stealing on tho strength of it."