Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1908 — FIFTY RUPEES EASILY MADE. [ARTICLE]

FIFTY RUPEES EASILY MADE.

Tricky Indian Merchant Feared Inquisitive Stranger. An Indian merchant wished to dispose of an old elephant and took it to a fair. As soon as he had arrived he noticed a man who, without saying a word, began to walk round the animal, examining* it attentively on all sides. The merchant became very anxious, for he feared the man had found out that his elephant was not worth much. He took him aside and I whispered In his ear: "I see a cusi tom er coming. Do not say a word ‘ until I have sold the beast and I will ■ give you 50 rupees.” The man looked i at the merchant and wonderingly complied with his request. It happened that the customer had more money than sense, so that he was easily taken in. When the bargain was completed and the elephant led away by its new owner, the merchant handed the 50 rupees to the silent man, saying: “Now, I want you to tell me how you discovered the defect in his left leg I thought I bad corv cealed it so skilfully.” “I have discovered nothing,” replied the stranger "It Is the first elephant I have ever seen, and I wanted to know which was the head and which was the tail.” —Exchange.