AN UNPROFITABLE TRANSACTION

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11, 18 March 1909, Page 438

AN UNPROFITABLE TRANSACTION

A good many years have passed since the grave closedover John Rea, the famous Belfast lawyer, whose brilliant wit gained him widespread fame. John Rea had a dog, and this dog* was a skilful thief. One day he stole a piece pf beef from the open window of a. butcher's shop in Hercules street. The butcher met John, Rea, and put a supposititious case to him. . ' Suppose.' said he, ' a dog stole a bit of my beef, what legal remedy would I have ?' ' Well, said John, 'you could ask the owner of the dog to pay for it.' 'Well, Mr. Rea,' said the butcher, 'your dog stole a bifof my beef this morning.' ' What was it worth ?| said John.. ' A shilling,' said the butcher. John put his hand in his . pocket, pulled out a shilling, and handed it to the butcher. . 'Now,' said he, 'you owe me six and eightpence!' '-'/