Refusing the Yolk.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 50

Refusing the Yolk.

That fine art which enables one to say "no " so that the person refused cheerfully acquiesces is illustrated by a story told in " Gossip of the Century." Levassor, who was the best French representative of the amusing " singing-speaking " style of entertainment, was always ready to help any work of charity. On one occasion he performed for a charitable society, and the receipts were so large that the managers determined to compensate him for his services. At the conclusion of the entertainment, therefore, the parish priest brought Levassor a basket of moss on which lay a large egg made of sugar. The weight of the eg? revealed to the artist the delicately-disguised intention of the donora to offer him a fee. Breaking the egg, he said : *• I am very fond of eggs, but I never eat the yolk. Keep it to feed the poor"; and he returned the roll of napoleons enclosed in it. Cold Comfort. Breathless would-be passenger : "Stationmaster, when does the half-past 5 train leave?" Stationmasler : •' Five-thirty." Passenger: "Well, the new church has 27 minutes past, the post office clock ha 325 pas 1 -, and your clook has 32 minutes. Now, in the name of Bradihaw, which clock am I to go by?" Stationmaster: "Ye can gang wi' ony clock ye like, but the train's awa."