SWIFT AND HIS SERVANT.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 190, 24 March 1893, Page 4

SWIFT AND HIS SERVANT.

Dean Swift, while on a journey, and stopping at a tavern, desired his servant John to bring him his boots. John brought up his boots in the same state they were in the previous evening. ‘Why didn’t you polish my boots ? ’ said the dean. ‘ There’s no use in polishing them for they would soon be d'rty again.’ ‘ Very true,’ said the dean, and lie put on his boots. Immediately after he went down to the landlady, and told her on no account to give his servant any breakfast. The dean breakfasted and then ordered his horse out. As he was ready to start, John ran to him and said—- ‘ Mr Dean, I haven’t got my breakfast yet.’ ‘ Oh,’ replied the witty divine, ‘ there’s no use of you breakfasting, for you’ll soon bo hungry again ’ John, fiuding his theory thrown back on himself, submitted to the privation with the stoicism of his master with the boots. On they rode, the dean in front, reading his prayer book, and the man behind at a respectful distance, when they were met by a gentleman, who, after eyeing the dean very closely, accosted the servant with—--11 say, my man, you and your master seem to be a sober pair ; may I ask who you are and wfiere you are going ? ’ ‘ We are going to heaven.’ said John, * my master is praying and I am fasting.’ The gentleman looked again in wonderment at the master and man and rode off.’