NOT WON BY WAITING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5273, 1 June 1895, Page 3

NOT WON BY WAITING.

Romeo Smith waß a comedian, and Smith, true to tradition, w%s always bard up. He owed hia manager, Harris, fifty pounds, and tbe latter had a judgment for the amount.

"Now, I am tired of waiting," said Harris, as he met Smith some time ago, " and you've got to pay the money at onco, or eomething will happen." " Why, really," said Smith, with a bland smile, "I haven't got the money on me, my boy ; but " — as if struck frith a sudden inspiration— " I'll tell you /What I'll doi I'll get it for you if you'll come with ae." " Where to, and how far P " "To the chemist's at the corner. The owner is a friend of mine, and will lend me the money. Bat we'll have to hurry, as I want to catch a train." Conciliated with a prospect of getting his money, the creditor readily accompanied Smith to the chemist's, which they found on their entrance to be fairly filled with customers. " Confound it," said Smith, " just my luck, and lamin a hurry, too.' I must see Mr Pills and explain my errand." ' He Btepped forward and went behind the counter, where the proprietor received him with a cordial smile. . Smith held a whispered conversation 'with Mr Pills, frequently indicating the patient creditor by a motion of his hand. Then he called Harris up to the counter as he hurriedly glanced at his watch. " Mr Pills will fix that with you/'he said. " I must run to catch my train now. By-bye," and off he went. " That's all right, sir," said the chemist, in a kindly tone to the creditor. "Jnst sitdown a few minutes, and I will settle that, affair of yours." Hr Harris sat down with a sigh of relief, and waited ten, fifteen, twenty minutes,. At the end of that time the chemist joined him, and motioned him to follow into a private room, where, after closing the door, he told him to be seated. "Now, sir," he said, cheerfully, "how long has this affair been going on?" "It's a good deal over a year now." " Well, for goodness' sake, why didn't you come to me before? I conld hate made it all right for you." "How did I know P" " Bnt you might have gone to somebody else. Anybody in the business conld hare given you advice." 'Advioe be hanged. rwant money. I am tired of advice." "But haven't you got money to pay for : advice? " asked the chemist, cautiously. " Certainly I have. Bat what's the use of throwing: good money after bad? 1< have a judgment against him, and that's enough." "Againßt whom?" " Againßt Smith, of course." "What for?" " What for ? Why, for the fifty pounds you are to pay me." "Me to pay you! " ejaculated the astonished chemist, rising from his chair. " My friend, what are you talking about P" " I am talking about my fifty pounds," thundered the now wrathful Harris, *' aad I heard you distinctly say that yoa would settle that affair of mine." "Listen," gasped the chemist; "are you mad or am I P I don't know the man from Adam. He confided to me that yon were suffering from sleeplessness and hypochondria, and needed advice ; and mediciue. He never said a word abdut money; but I understood from him that you would pay well for treatment." Harris crawled out into the street, tolftk home and kinked himself, and *$he obtain has vowed nw«- W J^lten4o.p^»Bt»Jbj'