SETTLING AN AGENT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1572, 4 March 1879, Page 4

SETTLING AN AGENT.

The Skinners' Company has large estates in Ireland, most of which, in the opinion of the guild, are let at very Inadequate rents The expenses of the company having in creased with the general increase of price-, th« members of the guild put their heads together—in other words had a Buard m* eting—and resolved to raise the rents of their Iri*h estates. An agent was at once despatched to Ireland to see how matters stood, aod quietly break the news to the tenants. His first proceedings wee to summon the tenants to a meeting, and then, with all the seductive eloquence at his command, he dwelt upon the increased cost of every necessity of civilised life, and gradually broaohed to them the views of the Skinners' Company with r*ga»d to their rents. He sat down, satisfied that there was no answer to his convincing logic. ' *ne of the tenants at on.'e mse, and, with a blandnaps which one looks f>r in vain out of Paddyland. complimented the agent on his speech ' I agree with the gintleman," said he ; " sorra tt.e thing is thtre thats not dearer than it used to be," Then, turning suddenly to the agent, he said: "Begorra, sor, I'll give ye a proof of it. Three years ago, sure, I could Have got ye shot for a sovereign, and now, be jabers, the market price is three poun' tin I" The agent endeavored to smile, but it was a ghastly attempt, and when the meeting broke up he "made tracks" home, and polit&ly informed the Skinners' Company that they might go over and raise their own rents.