Millionaire and Swagsman.

Manawatu Herald, 7 August 1894, Page 3

Millionaire and Swagsman.

James Tyson, of Queensland, although a millionaire, has the reputation (not at all deserved, by the way) of being the most close-fisted old cuss in Australia. He was one morning going through his runs when he came upon some one camped in one of his old stockmen's huts. The stranger was a swagsman looking for a job, and did not know Tyson from Adam. When the former came up, the swagsman, with the customary hospitality of the Australian bushman, asked him to have a feed, remarking that he had some of that old skinflint Tyson's mutton, and that it was real good. Tyson saw he was not known, and Bat down and enjoyed some of his own mutton. They conversed on general topics, when the swagsman asked if he knew where he would be likely to get a job, saying that he supposed it would be no use trying old Tyson. The latter said he did not know of any one wanting men juat then, but that there could be no harm in his trying at the station, which was not far off. They parted, and about two hours later the swagsman was at Tyson's head station asking the overseer for a job. Tyson at this moment rode into the yard. The overseer was about to send the man away, when Tyson chipped in with " Give the man a job, lad. He's not so bad. He had one of my sheep last night, but I noticed he pegged out the skin. I like to en* courage thrift."