How a Chinaman was Sold.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 172, 25 February 1873, Page 7

How a Chinaman was Sold.

The Gulyowj Guardian narrates the following :—-It appears that an enterprising resident had tried many ways to keep the pot boiling, from shepherding on the Star to teaching a school, even to running a coffee-shop, where hot pies and so forth could be had at all hours of the night. In the last effort to live he failed, as the landlord seized his coffee-can and fixtures ; and being determined to make tracks for a fresh opening for his hitherto unsuccessful abilities, a happy thought struck him. He would sell his wife for what she would fetch, and with the purchase-money be able to clear out comfortably. The lower end of Herbert-street is now occupied almost wholly by Chinese, who deal in nearly everything. One of the Celestials soon became an intimate acquaintance with the vendor of coffee, and openly expressed his admiration for Mrs Coffee-shop, and as is not uncommon with the heathen Chinee, he asked, " You sellee me your wife?" It was then the happy thought came; and ' mp-lh protracted negotiation, a sale was effected for £2O of good and lawful British money. A sale-note was written out, and duly signed and stamped, one-half the money paid down and the remaining half to be paid the vendor when on the coach for.Mudgee. The wife was told that the Celestial vendor of fruit and green-grocerv was to be - her future lord and master. She appeared rather glad than sorry at her change of owners, and did not resent John's clumsy attempts at showing his devotion. Everything being arranged for a departure, the seller and purchaser walked up Herbert-street to meet the coach, leaving the sold one in charge of John's shop. The seller having got into the coach he received the remainder of the purchase- »'■ ney ; the coach started, and John with hurried pace hastened back to his little shop to enjoy the company of his European wife. Alas for the frailty of woman and the vanity of human hopes \ The Celestial entered his shop, searched all the premises, out no wife was to be found. A caucus of his countrymen was held, but resulted in nothing practical being done, except that search and inquiries failed to find the ''ought one, and when night fell Johnny felt he was a sold one, and quietly subfitted to his fate. The truth of the matter is that no sooner had John left his purchase in charge while he went to see »tt late lord safely off, than she took her departure, —taking with her a package of John's green tea,—and, meeting the coach J mile out of town, rejoined the partner of nor bosom, and no doubt enjoved with him the success that had attended' their uovel Method of making a rise.