THE CUSTOMS OFFICER OUTWITTED.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 39, 26 September 1891, Page 414

THE CUSTOMS OFFICER OUTWITTED.

The famous Hungarian, Count Zichy, who lived on a princely income in Vienna, was, in his younger days, well known all over Europe on account of the bets he made and generally won. Once, when there was a heavy duty imposed on every head of cattle entering the Austrian capital, he made a bet that he would carry a lamb duty free through the gate of Vienna, and that the gate keeper, who acts as imperial officer, adjusting and receiving the duty would be glad to let him pass. Next morning, the Count, disguised in the clothes of a butcher, his butcher knife in his hand, his shirt-sleeves rolled up, and carrying a heavy sack on his shoulder, made his way to one of the fashionable gates of Vienna. But the watchful officer soon espied him. ‘ What have you in that sack, fellow ’’ ‘ A dog, sir.’ . ,‘ Ad “R ? Dog yourself. Down with that sack. I know fellows like you sometimes carry dogs in sacks through the gates, and sell them for mutton in the town. Down with your sack.’ ‘But it is nothing but a dog, and a bad dog too. I will ’ ‘ Never mind what you will. Down with your sack.’ The officer pulled the sack from the supposed butcher’s shoulder, cut the string, and sure enough out jumped one of the biggest dogs in Vienna. The dog rushed against the faithful Government servant, landed him several steps away in the gutter, and then left for parts unknown. After him went the young butcher shaking his big knife before the eyes of the frightened officer, and exclaiming. ‘ I’ll settle you after I catch that dog.’ About two hours afterwards the face of the butcher again appeared before the raised window of the gate officer. ‘ I have just caught that dog again. Would you like to look at him ’’ ‘Get (jway. Get out, you and your horrid dog.’ And with a the window went down, and the smiling butcher entered Vienna. But no dog was that time in his sack, but the fattest lamb that could be found in the suburbs of the capital.