LANDLORD AND TENANT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1050, 11 February 1880, Page 3

LANDLORD AND TENANT.

At a time when the relations of landlord and tenant gives rise to far too much bitterness and grumbling, the following story is quite cheering;—A farmer called on the late Earl Fitzwilliam to represent that his crop of wheat had been seriously injured in a field adjoining a certain wood where his lordship’s hounds daring the winter had frequently met to hunt, He stated that the young wheat had been so cut up and destroyed that in some parts he could not hope for any produce. “ I am aware that we have often met in the field, and that we have often done injury; but if you can procure an estimate of the loss you have sustained I will repay you.” The farmer replied that, anticipating his lordship’s consideration and kindness, he had requested a friend to assist him in appraising the damage, and they thought that, as .the crop seemed entirely destroyed, fifty pounds would not more than repay him. The earl immediately gave him the money. As the harvest approached however, the wheat grew, and in those parts of the field which were the most trampled the corn showed strongest and most luxuriant. The farmer went again to his lordship, and being introduced said, “ I am come, my lord, respecting the field of wheat adjoining such a wood.” “Well, my friend,” said Lord Fitzwilliam, “did I not allow you sufficient to remunerate you for your m loss]” “Yes, my lord,” was the reNPty I tl but I find that I have sustained no loss at all, for where the horses had most cut up the land the crop is best, and therefore I have brought the fifty pounds back again.” “ Ah,” exclaimed the earl, “ this is as it should be between man and man.” He then entered into conversation with the farmer, asking him several questions about his

family, how many children he had, and what Was the age of each; His lordship theri wrote out and gave the farmer a OheqUfe for One hundred pounds* saying; “ Take Care of this, and when yonr eldest sou becomes of &ge present it to him, and tell him the occasion which produced it.” A little of the spirit shown in this anecdote WOUld make short work of many an agricuh tural difficulty.