Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of Geo. Buchanan.pdf/22

20 the drover, who at first seemed unwilling; but the .captain putting it in his will, the drover quit him for half the sum. This he came to through George's advice.

8. George was one day met by three bishops, who paid him the following compliments: says the first, good morrow, Father Abraham; says the second, good morrow, Father Isaac; says the third, good morrow, Father Jacob. To which he replied, I am neither Father Abraham, Father Isaac, nor Father Jacob; but I am Saul, the son of Kish, sent nut to seek my father’s asses, and, lo! I have found three of them. Which answer fully convinced the bishop’s that they had mistaken their man.

9. A poor Scotchman dined one day at a public house in London upon eggs, and not having money to pay, got credit till he should return. The man being lucky in trade, acquired vast riches; and after some years happening to pass that way, calls at the house where he was owing the dinner of eggs. Having called for the innkeeper, he asked him what he had to pay for the dinner of eggs he had got from him such a time. The landlord seeing him now rich, gave him a bill of several pounds, telling him as his reason for so extravagant a charge, that these eggs, had they been hatched, would have been chickens; and these, laying more eggs would have been more chickens; and so on, multiplying the eggs and their product till such time as their value amounted to the sum charged. The man refusing to comply with this demand, was charged before a judge. He then made his case known to George, his countryman, who promised lo appear in the hour of cause, which he accordingly did, all in a sweat, with a great basket of boiled pease, which appearance surprised the judge, who asked him what he meant by these boiled pease. S13 S George, I am going to