A "Diary" reader asks my help in solving a difficulty which, he tells me, gave considerable trouble some years ago to a popular police magistrate who was called on to adjudicate upon the conflicting claims of Kate and Mary, whose partnership as fruit vendors at the doors of the Queen's Theatre had lasted for many years. Their habit was to make a joint purchase of ten dozen oranges daily, of which Kate retailed sixty every night at the rate of three for a penny to the denizens of the pit, while Mary, catering for the stalls, disposed her sixty at two for a penny. Later they divided their total nightly receipts of four shillings and twopence and went home happy.
Then conditions changed, and they agreed to take night about selling the whole 120 oranges at the rate of five for twopence. The result was that Kate has only four shillings to divide with Mary - and so the dispute ended in court. It was settled with the help of a skilled mathematical assessor, to the magistrate's satisfaction; but Mary - if she is still alive - yet believes that she was cheated. Perhaps, another "Diary" reader will ask his "rising-hope" to say whether Kate was an unfaithful partner - or merely the victim of circumstances?
The Irish Times, October 29th, 1929.