The Man in the Parcel.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 28 November 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Man in the Parcel.

A \vak!u\'t was out against Kemllo for contempt of court on account of his inability to make certain payments ordered by the judge, and a bailiff whom he had succeeded in eluding for a considerable time at last fairly ran iim to earth in a room in the Custom Howe, occupied at that time by soma of bis own particular fraternity. Not a moment was to be lost. Kerable, fluahr d and excited, rushed into the room. "Jonefl," said ha, '• there* a bailiff after rae I What's to be done?" Done ? Why, the bailiff, of oourse I" said Jones, as he thought for an instant. " Here you Are, old man — up you go on Jo the shell there." Jonea was a man of ready resource, and, quiokly grasping the situation, he placed the movable steps tpainst a strong high shelf on the wall, utjed for storing away ponderous ledgers and bundle* of old papers referring to past years. Kembto was young and active, and not without a keen sen*e of the comic side of the too re»Hatio drama in which he was the loading performer. In another moment he had Bcalcd the ladder and doubled himself up into the smallest possible compass". " Give me 3ome brown paper," said Jones. Beady bands brought the desired material, and, witn a few dexterous manipulations, Kemble was transformed into a bundlo as nearly as might be resembling the inanimate packages on other parts of the shelf. The plan was well conceived and ably carried out ; but one danger that threatened its success had not been foicaecn by its designer, and this arose from tlie overmastering sense of the ludicrous which now took possession of the man on- the shelf. The paper began to move violently, and it was evident that the iniide of the narcsl was convulsed with laughter. " Shut up, you stupid fellow I" said Jones, between laughter and anger ; and just as he spoke a knocking at the door startled the oflioiala into a full realisation of the gravity of the situation. Tee stepahad been removed ; and whpn the bailiff was admitted he wore a confident air, which seemed to say~ " Ah ! my man, I've got you this time I" - But, ou looking ecrutisingly round, he found only a fow clerks purauiug their accustomed avocations and quite unconscious of the presence of Mr, Koinble— indeed, they belioved he was at that moment up iv the Highlands (hero the brown paper seemed to rustic), and the gentleman must have made * mistake. The man looked very knowing and said he thoupht not. " Oh," said Jones, " if you doubt our word, would you liko to look into the cupboards ? Perhaps you think wa have concealed Mr. Komblfi ? Indeed Jones waxed scornful and sarcastic as he aisumcd the character of head of the room, and added, "Fray make any search yon think proper, sir ; bat be quiok about it, for I cannot have the gentlemen disturbed in this manner." The bailiff wss outwitted. He looked round in a disappointed sort of way, and finally said — " Well, I beg your pardol), gentlemen, but I could have sworn I &aw Mr. Kemble enter this room aa I waaattho other end of thepacago? I could have sworn it, gentlemen 1 And if only that fool of a portar hacTh't kept me back asking my bunine«, I'd have had my hand upon him." And so the parcel escaped detection, and lived to tell the tale with many a laugh aftervrudf,