Page:Odds and ends, or, A groat's-worth of fun for a penny (2).pdf/2

 A

GROAT'S-WORTH OF FUN

FOR A PENNY.

taking a walk in a field, observed a bull rapidly advancing towards him—'Helm-a lee, messmate,' he cried out at the top of his voice. The bull, however, probably not comprehending the injunction, speedily levelled his adviser with the ground. 'There, you stupid,' said the tar, as he raised himself, evidently more in sorrow than in anger, on his elbow, 'didn't I tell you you'd run foul of me.'

.—Shortly after the Battle of Waterloo, and while the Duke of Wellington was at the height of his popularity, the Boniface of a village inn somewhere in England, whose establishment flourished under the name of 'The Grey Ass,' resolved to add to the popularity of his house by substituting a painting of the Great Captain, for the one which had so long dangled above his door. So resolved, so done. A travelling artist was employed; the 'Grey Ass' was obliterated; and the Duke 'reigned in his stead.' Alas, however, for the uncertainty of human calculations; this event, he had looked