MEANEST MAN ON EARTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 319, 9 January 1909, Page 4

MEANEST MAN ON EARTH.

Jeremiah Stones is even meaner than the man who split up his wife's tomb- |, stone to repair his doorstep with. | Stone was an inveterate tobacco smoker, ' but as his wife detested the practice • and made home tempestuous and stormy for him when he indulged in the habit there, he always smoked when away during the day, ami declared to his "wife Unit he bad stopped permanently. Hut one evening upon entering the front door and drawing out his handkerchief he accidentally [Hilled out bis packet i>f tobacco, and, without noticing it, left it lying on the floor. When Stones sat down to his tea, his wife walked in with the tobacco ill her hand, and, looking Stones firmly in the eye, said, "Do you know to whom this belongs:'" With great presence of mind Stones turned scowling to his eldest boy, and said, with a severe, voice, " Immortal Mars! Is it possible that you have begun to smoke toibaoco, you young ■ reprobate? Whcrc'il you get that nasty stull? What do von mean by such coni duel, von niiiug villain? Haven't 1 told ' von u'fte-u'enough to let tobacco alone? ! Come here lo me. or I'll tear the jacket oir von!" And as be spoke the stern father made a grab at the iioy and dragged him out into the entry, where he chastised him with a cane. Then Stones threw the tobacco over a fence, where he went out and got it in the morning, and I'lijoveil it during the (lay. "Merciful .Heaven !" he exclaimed, when he told us about it, " what should ] have done if my children had been all .'iris ? ft makes an old father's heart glad when he feels that he has a boy be can depend upon in such emergencies.''