The Shoemaker's Logic

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1639, 9 November 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Shoemaker's Logic

An old French shoemaker, who Jrossted that nothing could frighten him, vfos pnt tv the teet by two young men.- Ooe of them pretended to be dead, and the other, going tot the shoemaker, induced him to Bit up with: the supposed corpse. Te shoemaker was in. a burry for some work, co he took his toolo and leather and began working beside the corpse. About one o'clock, coffee having es.hilara&ed him, he commenced singing s, \ lively tane, keeping time with bia hammer. Suddenly the corpse croise, aad exclaimed, in a hollow voic3 : " When a man is in the presence of death he should not sing !" The shoemaker started, then suddenly dealt t&e corpse a blow on the head, exclaim*rap, at the same time : " When a man is dead he should, uofc speak." It was the last time they tried to scaia the shoemaker. " It is strange," said a lady ak a boardinghbMße, breakfast table, " khai people can tell the age of animals by the teeth." " Not at all," said an old gentleman. " I can tell a chicken's age that way." " Why !" exclaimed tha lady, " a chioken hasn't any teeth f" To this the old gentleman testily replied!.' " Madam, I know that a ohioken hasn't any teeth, but I have."