From Information Received.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 91

From Information Received.

An. amusing story is told of a financier whose advice on money matters is regarded as well-nigh infallible. As usual in such cases the greatest curiosity is felt about his "deals," and ingenious plans are sometimes adopted to get "inside information." but he is too wily to give much away. On one occasion this gentleman had reason to suspect that his butler was taking

an undue interest in his affairs by eavesdropping and tampering with papers. Having satisfied himself on the point, the financier laid a trap for the man by con- ,' triving- that he should overhear eomersaj tiono in which certain stocks were recomi mended as profitable speculations. Papers I bearing similar recommendations were also J placed where the man would find them. i In a short time, owing to the manipula- , tions of the financier, these stocks began to fall heavily, and then the fun began— at least, it was fun for the financial man J On the first day after the fall the butler 1 was seen to be wearing an expression of i great anxiety. "Dear me, Joseph, you are looking very glum this morning," "observed his master"; "what's the matter?" The butler returned an evasive reply, looking very ill at ease. That day there was another heavy fall, and on the following morning the butler, who had spent a sleepless night looked worse than ever. "Joseph," said the waggish gentlemau, "you look quite ill this morning. Is anything wrong? Now, I hope— l really hope — you have not been speculating, Joseph — a most dangerous thing, you know." And so it went on, until having lost all his money, the panic-stricken butler confessed, and appealed for help. Fortunately for him, his master is a man of threat generosity, and the butler having had a sharp lesson was assisted over his difficulties. Needless to say. however, certain other parties who hadi come to &p ief on the information imparted to them t>y the butler were left to surmount their difficulties in the best way they could.