A CANNY GENTLEMAN.
" John Perrybingle," in the Melbourne Weekly Times, relates the following:— You can't beat a Scotchman much for real smart business, I heard of a canny gentleman frae the land o'cakes who was sent down by the agents of a ship which whs wrecked on this coast (I won't say where) to report whether it should be sold or a try made to float her. The Scotchman looked the vessel over very carefully and saw that she might hold together for three or four months, and that if the cargo could be got out in any condition, there would be thousands in it. He wired up to the agents by whom he was employed, " Sell her at once." Then he sent another little message to a friend :— " Gro as high as six thonsand; it's right." The vessel was sold to the highest bidder, and now the Scotchman finds himself owning a fourth share in the venture, besides having knocked out 30 guineas for reporting to the agents advising them to sell. The cargo saved has covered the purchase money, and when the vessel floats, the Scotchman and his mates will divide about £10,000 apiece. And yet there are some folks who growl at a tax on porridge.
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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3838, 18 April 1881, Page 1
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209A CANNY GENTLEMAN. Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3838, 18 April 1881, Page 1
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