WIT AND HUMOUR. HE KEPT THE SEAT.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

WIT AND HUMOUR. HE KEPT THE SEAT.

A man who had not been to church for a very long ' time finally hearkened to the persuasions of his wife, and decided to -jo. He got all the family together and they started early. Arriving- at the church there were very few people in it, and no pow-oponors at hand, so the man led his family well up the aisle, and took possession of a nice pew. Just as the service was about to begin, a pompous - looking old mau came in, walked up to the door of the pew, and stood there, exhibiting evident surprise that it was occupied. The occupants moved over and offered him room to sit down, but he declined to be seated. Finally the old man produced a card, and wrote upon it with a pencil : — 1 1 pay for this pew.' He gave the card to the strange occ\ipant, who, had he been like most people, would have got up and left. But the iutruder adjusted his glasses and, with a smile, read the card. Then he calmly wrote beneath it : — ' How much do you pay a year ?' To this enquiry the pompous old gentleman, still standing, wrote abruptly :—: — 'Ten pounds.' The stranger smiled as though pleased, looked round to compare the pew with others, admired ita nice cushions and furnishings, and wrote back: — ' I don't blame you. It is well worth it.' The pompous old gentleman at that stage collapsed into his seat.