JOSH BILLINGS AND HIS DOG.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2219, 13 February 1886, Page 2

JOSH BILLINGS AND HIS DOG.

It is told of Josh Billings that once tramping with a yellow dog as his companion, he fell among some Yale boys in a Connecticut village hotel. They took him for a farmer from way back, and set out to have some fun with him. On their inquiring with affected interest after the health of his wife and children, Josh, with counterfeited simplicity, gave them a graphic account of his family and farm. " Of course you belong to the church?" asked ono of tho boys. "Yes, and my father and grandfather before me;'" " Now, I suppose you would not tell a lie,"isaid one of the students, " Not for the world." " What will you take for that dog ?" pointing fc> Josh's cur, which was crouching beneath his chair! "I won't take twenty dollars for that dog.". "Twenty dollars! Why, he's not worth twenty cents." "I assure you 1 would not take 20 dollars for him." •' Come, my friend," said the student, who, with his companions, was bent on having some fun with the old man. "How, you say you won't tell a lie for the world. Let mo Bee if you will not do it for 20 dols. I'll give you 20 dols. foryour dog." "111 not take it." "You will not, Her, let me see if this .will not tempt you to lie," added the student, producing a sma'l batr of half dollars, which he built up in small piles on the table. Josh was sitting by the table, with his hat in his hand, apparently unconcerned. " There," added the student, "there are 20 dols., all in silver; I will give you that for the animal." Josh quietly raised his hat to the edge of the table, and, as quick as thought, scattered all the money into it except one half dollar, and then exclaimed-"' won't take your 20 dols.! Nineteen and a half is as much as that dog is worth. Ho is your property I"