SETTLING AN AGENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 15, 17 January 1879, Page 4

SETTLING AN AGENT.

Tbe Skinners' Company bas large estates in Ireland, most of wbicb, in tbe opinion of the guild, are let at very inadequate rents. The expenses of the company having increased with the general increase of prioes, the members of the gaild put their heads together — in other words bad a board meeting— . ' and resolved to raise the rents of their Irish estates. An agent was at once despatched to Ireland to see how matters stood. His first proceedings were to summon 'tbe tenants to a tteetiag, and then with all the sednc*

tive eloquence at hia command, he dwelt opon ibe increased cost of every neccessary of civilised life, and gradually broached to them the views of the Skinners' Company with regard lo his rents. He eat down, satisfied that thero was no answer to his convincing logic. One of the tenants at once rose, and, with a blando6S3 which one looks for in vain out of Paddyland, complimented the osent on his speech " Ihgroe with the jintleman," said he; " sorra tht) thing is here (hat's not dearer than it used to be." Then, taming suddenly to the agent, bo said, "Begorra, sor, I'll give ye proof of it. Threo years ngo sure I could have got ye sbot for a sovereign, and now, be jabers, the market price is tbree pouo' tin!" The ngent endeavoured to smile, buiit wasa ghastly attemptand when the meeting broke up he " made tracks " borne, and politely informed the Skinners' Company that they might go over and raise tbeir own rents. «gigs_r j. ". ,'"■ »———-,