How He Won

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 27, 2 February 1937, Page 4

How He Won

THE DOG- AND THE WAGER Count Zichy, the famous Hungarian, was in his younger days, well known all over Europe by reason of bets he made and generally won. When a heavy duty was imposed on every head of cattle entering the Austrian capital, he wagered that he would carry a lamb duty free through the gates of Vienna, and that the gatekeeper, ns imperial officer adjusting and receiving the duty, would be glad to let him pass. Next morning, the count, disguised in the clothes of a butcher, his butcher’s knife in his hand, his shirt sleeves rolled up, and carrying a heavy sack on his shoulders, arrived at one of the gates of the city. But the officor espied him:— "What have you in that sack, fellow!" "A dog, sir.” ‘‘A dog? Dog yourself. Down with the sack. I know follows like you sometimes carry dogs in sacks through the gates, and sell them for mutton in the town.” “But it is nothing but a dog, and a bad one, too. I will ” "Never mind what you will—down with your sack.” The officer pulled the sack from the butcher’s shoulder, cut the string, and sure enough, out jumped one of the biggest dogs in Vienna. The dog rushed against tho faithful Government servant and knocked him down, and then bolted for parts unknown. After him went the butcher, shouting to the officer: "I’ll settle you after I catch tho dog.” About two hours later the face of the butcher appeared at the window of the office: "I have caught that dog again. Would you like to look at him?” "Get away! Get out, you and your infernal dog.” And with a crash tho window went down, and the smiling butcher entered Vienna. In the sack at that time was the fattest lamb to be found in tho suburbs of the capital.