IN RE ELLIS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 577, 6 November 1869, Page 2

IN RE ELLIS.

(To tie Editor of the Westport Times.") Sir, —One story is good until another is told. No doubt, with others' assistance, Mr Ellis has concocted a plausible tale. lam sure that touching picture must have drawn tears frcm every eye. What a pity for his peace of mind that his quill-driving now necessitates a thorough exposure. It cannot even be withheld in consideration of his being " an invalid and scarcely able to totter." To begin, sometime previous to the election Mr Ellis endeavored to impress me with an idea of his exceeding aptitude for electioneering tactics. Knowing that I was favorable toMrAkersten's candidature, he expressed to me his desire to offer his services to him with a view to remuneration. Tou may imagine that I was rather amused at his modesty and want of " cheek," in which qualities it is generally known he is remarkably deficient, but, unfortunately for Mr Akersten's chance of success, just then the superior attraction of his own gouty toe diverted his attentin. Mr Akersten left Westport, and for ever lost the opportunity of securing his election through the loss of such an invaluable advocate as Mr Ellis.

But Mr Ellis, nothing daunted, directed his efforts to another quarter. He told me he would then write to Mr Curtis, offering him his services, and he explained to me that his doing so would be worth at least a five-pound note, as Mr Curtis would never suspect the great barrier which existed to his usefulness. I actually got him paper to write upon, relishing the whole thing as a capital joke. You must allow, Sir, that the idea of a man so situated volunteering for active service, and expecting valuable con-

sideratiou for such services as he could render, was really good. But, curious to ascertain how his proposal would be received in Nelson, I called in to hear the upshot. A conversation then occurred, which I give you word for word. I said, " Well, Ellis, I suppose he did not answer your letter." Ellis replied " Tes, but he did though." I replied "You are joking." Ellis, angrily, " I tell you he did though. I can show it you ; here it is." I took and read it, and said I should like to show it to Mr Falla. He said " All right, let me have it again," stating at the time that he was disappointed at not receiving some hint as to payment. I left, taking the letter with me. The following day I showed it to several people, amongst others to Mr O'Conor. When Mr O'Conor heard the story as I now relate it, he appeared very much amused. He said Ellis was a brick ; that letter was just what he wanted—honest advice from the enemy's camp. He took it away, promising to return it safely to me. If any use to which that letter was afterwards put has interfered with Mr Ellis's prospects in life, I feel bound to say that I regret it. The only whisper of consolation that I can give him is that his originality and ingenuity, if not mendaciousness, will yet cause his elevation to a level far above appreciating spectators. It is ouly right to remark that Ellis's elector was wrong in raising his cupidity'once more by saying that he would have been paid if the letter had not been published. The mischief is, Ellis believed him and is wroth accordingly. Apologizing &c, —I am, yours respectfully, CrEOEGE JeRVIS.