Softening the Water.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 173, 27 June 1883, Page 2

Softening the Water.

Not long ago two gentlemen, who9e bitterest enemies have never accused them :of Good Templarism, met by cbance at the teetotal hostelry of the widow M'Pherson, m Edinburgh, where they passed as belonging to the cold water army. Late at night one of these gentlemen said to the other '• Come up into my room. I've jjot some prime whisky m my portmanteau. We'll get some hot water from the old woman, and have a good time." They proceeded up stairs, whence the bolder of the intoxicant rang the bell for the chambermaid, to whom he said : '• Tell your missus to send me a jug of boiling water to wash my feet." The maid went down and delivered the message,- but when Mrs M'PJierson heard it, she exclaimed, m the choistest Doric: "He a teetotaller, indeed! What does he mean by washing his feet, and says he's Scotch, too !" However, she bustled herself m getting what seemed to be required, and the maid presently carried it up to the guest's room, remarking as she put it d>wn upon the table, "The mistress says toe water's rather hard m these parts, so she put a lump of soda into it. Gude evening, sir."