DEFEATED BY HIS OWN ELOQUENCE

New Zealand Tablet, 9 January 1913, Page 61

DEFEATED BY HIS OWN ELOQUENCE

It is generally assumed that descriptive volubility is a distinguishing asset to an auctioneer. The aptitude for telling the truth,’ however, may be overdone. In his reminiscences, told to the Newcastle auctioneers, Mr. Slee mentioned a knight of the hammer who had a genius for picturesque language when it came to drawing up an advertisement. A client once instructed him to try and find a purchaser for some property, which was duly advertised. The auctioneer described the property in such glowing terms in the public announcements that they made so deep an impression on the owner that he cancelled the sale. The. auctioneer had pointed out many more valuable features, than had ever occurred to the mind of the owner, who, once all the advantages had been revealed to him, resolved not to sell. Thus the auctioneer stirred the imagination, but lost his commission. - ' r