Æsop Around Again.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2078, 31 October 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

Æsop Around Again.

An alleged joke, that had gone the rounds of the press for the hundredth time, made its appearanoe one day as a brand-new witticism in the oolumi of a religions weekly, and presently espying a patent medicine ad., in* quired : " How's business ? " " Miserable," answered the patent-medicine ad. " Somehow the people pay no mora attention to me. I'm sure I try to make it pleasant for every one. Only the other day I expatiated at length in the most cheerful language about a new and very palatable pill ; but I was skipped over as usual." " Aye, there's the rub," replied (he alleged joke. " Ton deal in false pretences, and if there's any one thing the people won't stand—" " False protenoes 1 " shrieked the patent* medicine ad., growing blaok in the face with anger, " Why, mark you, sir, whatever I may say, no man is deceived thereby ; for does not every one well know that I deal in nothing but good honest poison ? While you, sir — you basely stab a man to the heart with a worn-out pun, while you pretend to smile in his face." "Hold, hold I " exclaimed the alleged joke, "I see you understand the situation. Wo shall aooomplish nothing by abusing each other. Suppose we pool our issues for awhile ? I think we would make a whole team. Just hide behind me here and wa will knock over the first Hypochondriac that comes along." "Agreed," said the patent-medicine ad., and thereupon they joined hands, while old mortality, who ohanoed to overhear the coin* paot, smiled serenely and hastened to prepare for a rush of business. MORAL. When criminals conspire fooli muit fall.— Pugk.