A FRIEND IN NEED.

Dunstan Times, Issue 615, 30 January 1874, Page 3

A FRIEND IN NEED.

—o—“Confidence, '’ says the proverb, “ is a p'aut of slow growth.” It is, perhaps, best not to grow it at all in the Australian hush ju lg'iu from the following incident related by a Mctb mrne paper. A certain person was t availing through a lonely district when he heard a groat outcry. Thinking bushrangers were at work, he fire 1 off a pistol to intimidate them ; and presently the noise ceased anil a scampering was heard. On coining to tho open gronritl, the traveler discovered a man tied to a tree. “.Oh! Sir,” cried the victim, “ [ am so glad yon are ennie. I liavo been attacked by ruffians, anl they were robbing me when they bn-1 your pistol” And couldn’t you get loose, my friend ?’’ asked tho traveller. No ; they ti 1 1 mi so very tightly.” “ And didn’t they rob, yon of everything?" No ; only of my watch. They had no time to search for money, which I placed in my ■left -boot." “How fortunate,” observed the traveller; “ was tho sum considerable ! “ Over a thousand, "thank Heaven,” sai l the poor man.. “ Are yon sure they are gone?” asked the other. “Oh! certain.” The new comer looked round and round, and seeing tho coast clear, raid coolly, “ Well, as they are. son*, I think I’ll finish the j ih my ; e’f." And he proesoltrl to rob tho unfortunate victim.