Page:History of the wits jubilee, or, The chearful companion.pdf/20

( 20 ) his Joan roſe above every objection, and he at laſt engaged to raise the money. They got to the farm-houſe through much difficulty, and in an hour or two the doctor preſented the maſter of the houſe with a fine boy and demanded his exorbitant fee; which the farmer immediately gave him, and they drank each a glaſs of ale to the boy's future welfareBy this time the flood was greatly increaſed, and real danger threatened the doctor in his return; on which (not being at all acquainted with the way,) he intreated the farmer to loſe no time in conducting him back. "My friend (you would not come to help my wife who was in real diſtreſs, unleſs I promiſed to give ten guineas, when only an imaginary danger was before you; but there is now a real hazard in my venturing to ſhew you the way back; therefore, unleſs you will give me nine guineas for my trouble in conducting you home, you may abide where you are until the next dry ſeaſon.All replies were in vain; no art could make any impreſſion on the countryman; Rhubarb was obliged to return nine guineas; the farmer landed