THE PRIEST AND THE PRODUCE AGENT.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 268, 25 April 1874, Page 3

THE PRIEST AND THE PRODUCE AGENT.

An amusing incident occurred lately at an hotel in close proximity to the produce market. A. certain Catholic clergyman, who was bent upon a charitable mission (collecting for the building of u church), resolved to. seek those who had money where he was sure they would be found on.a market day ; so he took up his quarters at a hotel in the Market-square. Here he interviewed all and sundry who came to get their nobblers, and succeeded in winning several guineas from, perhaps, reluctant givers, until a genial and good - hearted produce agent was. one of the sufferers, .who, going to get a "wet." found that it cost him £1 Is. 6d. lie gave his g>iinea willingly enough, but resolved that a rival agent, well known for his wealth and his parsimnniousness, should not get off scot free. Word was sent round the market that free drinks were to be had at the hotel in question Soon a crowd was collected in the bar, and then.the wealthy Fluffem (the sobriquet by which the gentleman in. question is known to a few of his friends) was inveigled into the net. Tho jolly priest seized -upon his customer, and as politely as possible tried to induce him to " shell out" Excuse after excuse was pleaded by Mr Fluffem. but all to no", purpose—the priest would not be denied. " But I have a wife and six children to support," said the man of many acres. " On, never mind that," replied his reverence; "you can well afford to give something fo the church." '•■• I have no money about me," 'said Mr. F. " Well, here's a cheque-book, your signature will be good enough,"-..was the leply. But Mr F. was inexorable, and, his excuses being exhausted,., he tried the appeal ■ad-misericordiam. It was tip use, however. " Shake him for it." snid a wag in the crowd to the priest ;. " shake him for a guinea and drinksatl round.'" " Well, no," said his reverence, '" I'll not shake him, but I'll- play him a game of forty-fives." this free-hearted pro> posal did not bring out the wealthy wearer of mocassins';' he 'was .afraid he would be beaten by the priest at his national game, and he declirie'd ; the encounter. " Well, then," said his reverence, '.'.'•'seven up at euchre, or once round the board at crib—•a. I VII o»AfimmJnU —r,~ „*.,'. " VT„.

! played before Moses !" or in some ■.::••■'■<- ; forcible fashion, swore the priest, ' v-i j shall not go out o' this till you give me a j show for the money. Til shake ' yez at Yankee grab,'a guinea and drinks tor the crowd." The dice-box stood temptingly ready on the counter. 'J'he priest seized the box, gave it one shake, threw, and the dots on the'ivories showed sixteen. "I'll stand on that," said his reverence.' " A very good throw," chimed in the by-stan-ders. Nothing was left for Mr. F. but to throw likewise. He did, got stuck at " the.witch," made a baker's dozen only ; and of course lost the guinea and the drinks—'* which he paid like a man,' said a questioner of our informant. No, he didn't; he fumbled in his pockets for a while ; at last found.a florin, put it on the counter, with the remark that it was all the money he had; saw there was a clear course to the door, took to his heels and bolted. The landlord served drinks to the o'-owih The priest put down a guinea donation from Mr. F. on his subscripti.-n lis*, and if Mr. F. has any regard fur his peace of mind,, the money will be paid, j even though it' will -be a drop from the | ocean of his income.—Ballarat Courier, 1 20th instant " v