A STRANGE BET

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8195, 27 July 1906, Page 7

A STRANGE BET

+ 'Speoially written for the Age by Ruht Reloh.) PART ll.—Continued. Moreover., a pricking of a pJunle on the aaid nost* by anyone wbosever must be cuosidered as an unwarrantable interference of the rights of either the vendor or the purchaser of the organ in question, seeing that the circulation of blood was affected by such an act, not only within that organ itself but within all ports of the body to which that oragn was naturally attached. Un the whole, both itgal i luminaries should advise a repurchase of the precious nasal organ in preference to an action of assault and battery by their client, which, however, they were sure would lie. Inordinately rich as Benny was, he could not bring himself to repurchase an article tha,t had always been practically his uwn,. even hie own noße, by the sacrifice of any considerable sum of mcriey. Though he knew before hand that any piltry offer of cash would be rejected 'by Pasttoor, his Jewish tendency of chaffering induced bim to make such an offer with the anticipated consequence of a refusal. Sronglex now reoommeuded his oUent to write a manly, courteous letter to his lordship. ■ Unhappily, to write suuh a letter was quite beyond Benny's power. That kind of manliness and courtesy required a man muat possess id himself. Benny had too long been a demi-god in a demi-moude to be truly manly and courteous. But he wrote to Fastfoot, and, excelling all species of cunning, his letter was cunningly concluded with 'an offer of 6000 murks, or, a* the letter expreeaaed it, a cent percent offer for the deed of sale, now h?ld by his lordship. His lordship's answer was to the effeot that he should be loth to part with so unique a document as that deed, that the pleasure and pride he felt in the graoeful exhibition of his olassioal ptoberty by his friend in public and private were bo greatly enhanced by the importance and dignity of his user that he must regretfully decline the offer made. Still, everything on earth had a price and, if sufficient inducement were held out, he might enter into further negotiations. On that very day, H.R.H., Prince Koob, heir apparent to the throne, arrived in the residence. Magnificent festivals were projected in bis honour. The Councillor was iu good request, for U.R.H. had come, not only on a social, but on a f olitioal and financial mission as well. Qoverment required money, the expenditure in all branches of its machinery had been extravagant. Sooialism just then was rampant, the press satirical. Who so fit as our eminent [financier to help the cabinet in its financial straits, to lead the press into a better frame of mind, to arrange for a loyal and enthusiastic display of hospitality in honour of the illustrious gueßt. Who else than our friend was promised fur these and other ser vices rendered a harvest of handsome profits and rewards? Away then, with private concerns! Winter was still scattering snowflakes over the land and the weather was Bitterly cold. On a morning when a chill north wind whirled the snow about our Croesus, wrapped comfDrtably in a fur cloak was about tostep|into his carriage. Already his footman was holding the carriage door open for him when he was pushed aside by a tall person—Fastf oot! "How is this, Sir Commercial Oounoilloi," he exclaimed sharply. «'Do you wish to kill my property in this frost.? Is tbis the way 1" "Hush, hush," whispered the magnate, pale as death. Flunkey and ooaohmon had their ears strained to oatoh what was said. "Come into the carriage. Do you want to kill me quite," hissed the wretched man. They entered. "Now what do yon want," as the carriage began to move. "What will you take to leave me alone? Will 8000 marks do?" "Poo—Booo marks?! Prepos terous, my dear sir. All this is your fault. You are so, oareless that yoi do not mind if my nose freezes on your face. You leave my property, my valuable property exposed ir this frightful weather. It will no do. If you will not protect mj property, I must. I have thereto* here an elegant little case to keei my nose warm in.' " So saying, his lordßhip took f velvet lined case from his pocket. "Look, how handsome it is. Se it has two springs, one forthebridg of my nose, the other for its nostrils Observe: No trespass ou you properties. Allow me to fix th handsome "etiu." "Help, help," soreamed the tern fled man with a ohoking voice. "Now, my dear friend don't mak a laughing stook of yourself befor your servants I shall not hurt you but I will put it o* mv nose."

And he did. "There you are, that looks ne&t and is warm. Be so good, as to stop your carriage. Thank you. Goodbye for the present." The Councilor wa : i frantic with rage and mortification. Be tore the oause of it from his uose not without some hurt to that organ. Ho dashed it on the floor of the oarriage and danced madly on it. When the carriage -stopped and the ill-used man sprang out, he reeled like a drunken man and cursed like a trooper. Business for that day was impossible. Von Benjamin returned home and went to bed. Meanwhile gossip in the Councillor's household and in financial oircles was busy about the cause of his indisposition. His servants could make nothing of the broken oase which they found in the carriage; but "Madame von Benjamin judged it to be a jewel oase, and connecting jewellery with feminity became jealous and gave her wretched husband more than one bad quarter of an hour. tl(To be Continued).