The Clampett Fraud.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 444, 22 April 1890, Page 3

The Clampett Fraud.

Some of the people of Christchurch have evidently a lively appreciation of the parable of the prodigal son, and are demonstrating that appreciation by a somewhat questionable application of the parable in question to the case of Clampett, alias Sullivan, the exchampion evangelist bruiser. The vagaries of this gentleman will still be fresh iu the memories of all. It appears that on leaving New Zealand he went to Bristol, and was there “ shown up,” when he made a hasty retreat to Chicago. Having now wasted the substance with which paternal Christchurch provided him, he wishes to return to the scene of his former triumphs, and has written to Christchurch friends asking if they will forward him money to pay his passage thither. Success, it is observable, is often in direct proportion to the amount of self-assurance possessed, and either Mr Clampett has really seen the error of his ways (which we doubt), or else he is gifted with a phenomenal development of that artistic quality popularly dubbed cheek. His modest request states that he is so thoroughly converted that, if enough money be not sent to pay his passage in the saloon, he will condescend to chastise his body by the “sackcloth and ashes” of a steerage passage. The fatted calf has been killed in answer to this demand, and £7O has been Subscribed and forwarded to bring him back to the arms and hearts of his Christchurch admirers. We sincerely trust that when this wandering sheep does return to the fold he will be carefully muzzled, and his nose kept out of the financial feeding trough until such time as his conversion has been more assured. If, of course, after filling his pockets with the "sh-kels,” the poor fellow should find that he is not truly in touch with the gospel of hia friends, his tender conscience will perforce oblige him to tear himself away from them again, however bitter the parting may be. We would advise a strict diet of the husks that the swine did eat, for some time at any rate. There is nothing like making assurance doubly sure.—Oamaru Mail.