Humour

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 20, 11 August 1894, Page 9

Humour

HIS CHOICE OF A MOTTO. It is told of Sir Walter Scott that he was sitting 1 in his library one day when a tall Highlander, who had been building an inn near by, came in and said : ‘ May it please you, Sir Walter Scott, I am going to call my place ‘ The Flodden Inn,’ and as ye’ve writ a poem on Flodden Field, it struck me and the guid wife that you might gie us a line for a motto.’ 4 Have you read the poem ?’ asked Sir Walter. 4 No, sir; I’m na a reader.’ 4 Then you know nothing about it ? r 4 Nothing, but I’ve heert them say as knows that it’s a vera fine thing.’ 4 Well, I would advise, you to take a verse from the poem itself.’ 4 And what’ll that be ?’ 4 Drink, weary traveller—drink and pray.’ 4 But my inn wull na be a kirk,* said the man ; 4 and the more praying there is the less drinking there’ll be, and I dinna want that.’ 4 Oh,’ laughed Sir Walter, 4 1 think I can fix the verse by leaving out one letter, an r.’ 4 How will it be then ?’ 4 Drink, weary traveller—drink and pay.’ 4 Be Ailsie Craig, that’s just the thing!’ shouted the man,and he went away delighted.