Mr.John appeared almost daily before the magistrate, whom he called his dear friend and whom he frequently invited to dine, an invitation which, naturally, was never accepted.

One day Mr.Monori, for that was the worthy magistrate's name, asked Mr.
John whether he knew anything of a certain Margari who was soliciting the post of a clerk in the district court and gave as his reference the Lapussa family in whose service he had been for some years.

Mr.John, with his innate niggardliness, at once seized this opportunity for disembarrassing himself of an importunate beggar by saddling the county with him.

He exalted "the worthy, excellent man" to the skies, and especially praised his rectitude, his sobriety, his diligence! "But is he trustworthy ?" inquired the magistrate.

"You see there are various little cash payments he will have to see to, is he clean handed ?" "As good as gold, I assure you.