A GOOD STORY

Dunstan Times, Issue 1259, 16 April 1886, Page 3

A GOOD STORY

“ iEgW’ in trie Australasian tells the following amusing story: —Poleaxe as moat people know, carried on a piospe.rous business as a butcher. Sometime after having purchased a mob of fine fat bullocks from a stranger to the district,' P. had a hint that the cattle had been acquired by the vendor in a manner not quite “ on the square.” Now Poleaxe is a man who never misses a ch nice, so that when the same dealer came almg again, saying he had a hundred tine fat bullocks tor sale, P. said, •* Lo k here, Fogarty, I found that the last 1 had of you were on the cross, and 1 had to let about forty of them go to avoid the constables, and I can’t deal with you about this lot un til the police inspect them.” “ All right,” said I?., “letthem inspectthem, I bought them up near the Gulf, and you can have them at 1,3 a head.” The end of the conference was that P was to inspect. I he cattle next day in a deep bond of the river, wheic Fogarty said he was camped. Now I’, matte this preparation for the work ofinspec timi. He ant hold of a couple of black boys, provided them each with a blue serge suit, bad an orthodox stripe put on their sleeves, borrowed a couple of carbines, and next morning set out

with his mock troopers. He planted them in a belt of scrub, with instruc • tions to advance slowly when he gave an agreedaon signal. Fogarty kept his appointment, showed his cattle, which Poleaxe admitted were a splendid lot, adding, “ I’ll take them if the police, who wall be here presently, inspect and pass them.” “Let the police come. I’m not frightened ” Just then Poleaxe gave the signal, and the black boys started slowly across the plan. Fogarty glanced uneasily, over his shoulder, but said nothing. As they drew near he noticed the stripes; this was too much for his nerves “By George, old min," he exclaimed, “I quite forgot to bring on the pack-horse. I’ll go for him now,” and putting spurs to his horse he was off at score. Poleaxe never again saw Mr Fogarty, and says that this was the most profitable lot of bul locks he ever put a knife in; It was -some years after this that Poleaxe became a successful squatter, and was appointed to the commission of the peace. Sitting on the Police Court Bench,two men, who had known him of yore, were brought up on a charge of drunkenness and fighting. On being placed in the dock, one of them was startled by seeing his old acquaintance presiding, and turning to his mate said in a stage whisper, audible through the Court, “Begqjra Mick,' we’li be let down aisy—its Poleaxe as is on the throne.”