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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 556, 13 January 1891, Page 3

At Auckland the other day a young couple went by mistake to the Hon. Mr MitoheL son’s office (in mistake for that of the Registrar), and offered him the time honored fee to hitch them in life's harness, but the Cabinet Minister had to confess his inability to deal with matters of the kind. The nefarious art of spielerdom has, says the Daily, been practised in Masterton to the intense sorrow of a certain purveyor of law. The spieler, it appears, was summoned before ’he beak for placing his hand mysteriously in a pocket which was not his own. Espying in the Court a clever and anxious-looking lawyer, he requested him to take up his case. The man of many words consented, and conducted iha defence in a manner that was creditable to his profession, refuting any inuendos of the prosecution that his client was connected with the spieling fraternity. Tbe charge was dismissed. The innocent man marched off to the police office to procure his goods and chattels. The lawyer quite naturally followed. Here a scene of very great confusion ensued. Seven pound notes were handed the victimised visitor to the town, which he carefully placed in his pocket, and, bidding the police adieu, was about to make his exit through the door, when his counsel, with a bland smile, observed, c< Bv-the-by, there is my fee, a guinea. “ Your fee ?” replied the innocent one in a tone of contempt. ** I know nothing of your fee; go to the man who employed you !” “ You will not pay P You say you won’t?” retorted the excited lawyer. “ Ijtell you straight I won’t; I did not engage you; you can go co ! ” And with thia remark the now avowed spieler turned on his heel and has not since been seen. The man of law, admitting that he had been himself “ robbed,” left the office a sadder, but a wiser man.