A GOOD REASON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 134, 8 June 1877, Page 4

A GOOD REASON.

A somewhat dissolute old gentleman who was more remarkable for th9 length of time he had lived in the colony, and sound judgment with respect to whisky than for other virtues, called on a wealthy merchant of this oity last week (says the Sydney Evening News), and; entreated on account of auld lang syne for a loan of £25. The opulent citizen leaned back in his comfortable arm chair, placed his thumbs, in his waistcoat pockets, and shook his head slowly from side to side. "My dear; sir," quoth the wealthy merchant, " I asn grieved, but' l cannot comply with your request. lam not bouud to give my reasons, but you are welcome to them,' I have a wife, mj friend—l have wife," "Is that your reason?" asked the dissolute colonist, " because, for the matter of that I had several." " Hear me out,'' continued the merchant. "My wife iej a source of great pride to me, tftit she ia also a source of grqat expenditure. She must have' carriages, horses, a "' villa) in the.suburJbß, boxes in the theatres,' dresses from Worth's, alad o^her trifles that mount up. A lady, you know, of such fashionable, tendencies must be! humored, and, in short"—' 1 Well, I uon't know," interrupted the needy one,) who had been biting his nails during' this oration, " She usen't to be so; particular when she was washing for my mate and me on Beodigo." The: loan was not only granted, but to show' his regard for an old friend in distress, the wealthy merchant readily consented to pay his passage to other shores. ;