A GOOD STORY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 122, 23 May 1879, Page 4

A GOOD STORY.

Referring to a well-known professor of theatricalities, the* Ashburton Mail' gives the following amusing anecdote : "Strolling playerp, especially when ihey happen to ba Yankee, bave a reputation for smartness, bot occasionally they meet with more than their match. Quite recently one of these gentlemen had on adventure in Ashburton, which, if ever he writes his biography, he' will be able to include amongst bis bitter experiences. He had occupied the Town Hall for a couple of e yen ingp,. when it occurred (o him that he ought to retain the key of the side-door. The keeper was spoken to oo the subject, Jonathan pointing out that his object for retaining the key was to be able to remove his valuables in case of a fire at ni/hr. Although yieldipg, the hall-keeper thought he ■melt a rat. So after the hall had been locked np for the night he relumed, and qaietly barricaded the B iJ e entrance. About six next morning an express stood in readiness opposite the door, and Jonathan was to be seen vainly endeavoring to gain admission with a view of removing his effects to the railway station in lime for the down traih to Dunedin. The keeper was alao on the alert, and like an early bird caught his worm « Hulloah ! " he Baft, '.'I didn't hear the cry of fire" "^o, Igoess not," replied Jonathan'; but something's wrong with this here door; the darned thing won't wotk." No friend, I believe it wants a sevengaioea key to open it jast now. When yoa settle for the hall yog can get your traps;"- "Why', yon don't think mea rogue, do yon " said tfee other, getting a Hftle excited. " Oh no," was the cool rsply, « bot I> not a new cham. We never leave these things to chance in these parts." There was a slight dis-. eusaion, ending in the would-be Mr Sloper offering the hall-keeper five guineas in payment, "and the other insisting on a settlement in full. " Why y°^ «n.. see we've done rather badly," said the persuasive stranger, " take the fiver, and if the directors say a word about it, I'll remit the rest " ;«Ab, no," was the resolute rejoinder, " that's not my way of doing business ; pay me the seven guineas, and if the directors allow anything off, I'll .end it after you." Xbe money was paid, the luggage was released, and with the exclamation, tarnation cute people in these parts," Mr Jonathan winged his way to the railway station.