TAKING HIM DOWN.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 361, 21 February 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

TAKING HIM DOWN.

To a certain Southern town, in England. on legal business, came a most pompous young lawyer, who, notwithstanding his name was McNaught, had an excellent opinion of himself. He found it necessary to talk with Squire Gardner, an unpolished justice, who had no good opinion of anything, and especially of anyone who had a good opinion of himself. The squire had never heard of his visitor till he called And he was a poor hand at remembering names, but he was an expert in human measurements.

. The young lawyer proceeded promptly to say what he had to say, the squire listening, but watching. Presently he thought it was time for him to say something. “Hold on. Mr. McCipher.” he began. “My-name is McNaughi,” the lawyer stiffly corrected him. “Excuse me, excuse me,” apologised the squire, and finished his remarks. It was not long before the squire again felt called upon to speak. “Well, new, Mr. McZero ” he started in.

“I said my name was McNaught,” the lawyer interrupted, sharply. Again the squire, apologised, doing so profusely, and the lawyer concluded hie consultation. He was not feeling very kindly towards the' equire, but he thought it wise not to manifest his feelings, and he said good-bye with a fair degree of politeness. “Good-bye, Mr. McNothing,” said the squire, as innocent as a lamb, and as the visitor walked pomnously out of the office the squire chuckled.

OUT OF THE DIFFICULTY.

A characteristic story of Dr. Parker was fold the ocher day by a clergyman, who had it from'Un "old minister who was much interested in Joseph Parker s early work as a local preacher. - One Saturday he met Parker, and asked him whether he had an engagement for Sunday. “Yes,” was the reply, and Parker went on to specify the place. “Are your sermons ready, Joseph?” asked the minister.

“I have the morning sermon,” was the reply, “but I am not sure about the evening.”

“Well, Joseph,” said the minister, “that is very clever, but it is not the real meaning of the text. If yon will look at the commentaries you will see that you are wrong.” Parker thanked him and went his way. On the Mondav the minister again met his friend.

“Well, Joseph, how did you get on yesterday?”

“ Very 'well,” was the reply. How did you manage?” “Well.” he said, “in the morning I preached by sermon, and exnlained the text in my way. and at the close I said, ‘This is how I understand it. Bnt learned men understand it differentlv, and I will.tell you in the evening how the learned men understand it.’ ” Thev all came back in the evening, and Joseph had a, happy day.