Squaring the circle.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 120, 27 April 1883, Page 2

Squaring the circle.

Some years ago an engineer, now prominent m, the, official management of one of our great railroads, was superintending the construction of a new road up country __ near Candarlah. After supper one evening, lie strolled into the bar of a country Jtayern/ where some twenty men were seated and chatting. A regular knowing Scotchman was ex* : pounding the remarkable strength of the arch, its use and application m mechanics, and illua {rating , ' his remarks by pawing a two^gallon keg; "You have no idea,' 7 said he, " how strong the arch is if ye Bet it right— if ye know how. Now there's the egg-— nothing's got a I prettier arch than the egg, and if you set it right it's mighty strong. Why, I can set an egg on this floor m such a shape that ye can't. break, it with this keg." A general murmur of sneering disbelief ran around the room, but he i was game. " 1 said, and I can do it, and I'll bet thee drinks for the crowd on it" Our engineer hated the Scotch, and though a reserved man, he could not permit a Scotchman to bluff a whole . party with such an. arrogant and preposterous statement, so he quietly said "I will take; that bet."; An egg was brought m from the kitshen, and handed; to the orator. He took it, and stood it upon the floor m the comer of the room.' Our, engineer did not even attempt to fill a square corner with a 1 round measure, bjat ;paid for- th<s drinks.^ and retired, sadder and wiser. - —