Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1849-03-08
4 PRoFITABLE TRADE IN RIDDLES
rRoMruE GERMAN or MRS. ST. SIMON.


FROM TIE GERMAN OF AIRS. ST. SIMON.
Nine persons sailed from Balse down the
Rhine. A Jew, who wished to 60 to Scha.
lampi, was allowed to come on board, and
| journey with them, upon condition that he
would conduct himself with propriety, and
give the captain eighteen kreutzers for his
passage;
Now, it is true something jingled in the
jews pocket when he struck his hand against
it; but the only money there was therein
was twelve kreutzer piece, for the other was
brass button. Notwithstanding this, he
accepted the offer with gratitude fer he
| thought to himself-sso something may be earn
ed, even upon the water" There is many
man who has grown rich upon the Rhine
During the first part of the voyage the pas
sengers we're very talkatiye and merry. and
the Jew, with his wallet under his arm. for
he did not lay it aside, was the object of
mirth and mockery, as alas, is oftenthe case
with those of his nation, But as the vessel
sailed onward, and passed Thuriuger and
SAINT Vet, the passengers, one after the O.
lessly down the river, until one cried
@Come, Jew; do you know any pastime
that will amusc us2 Your fathers must
have contrived many one during their jour
ney in the wilderness"
aNow is the>time," thought the jew, "to
shear my sheep r and he proposed that they
should sit around in circle, and PROFOUND
various curious questions to each other, and
he, with their permission, would sit with
them Those who could not answer the
question should pay the one who propounded
! them, twelve kreutzer piece, and those who
answered them pertinently, should receive
twelve kreutzer piece.
This proposal pleased the company; and
hoping to divert themselves with the Jews
wit or stupidity, each one asked, at random,
whatever CHANGED to enter his head.
Thus, for example, the first asked-"How
many soft boiled eggs could the giant Goliah
eat upon an empty stomach 2"
All said it was impossible to answer that
5question, and each paid his twelve kreutzers.
But the Jew said-"0ne: for, he who has
eaten one egg, cannot eat second. upon an
empty stomach !" and the others paid him
| twelve kreutzers.
The second thought-sWait, Jew will
try you out of the New Testament, and |
think shall win my piece. Why did the
Apostle Paul write the second epistle to the
| Corinthians2n
The Jew said-aBecause he was not in
Corinth-otherwise he would have spoken to
them" So he won another twelve kreutzer
piece.
When the third saw that the Jew was so
well verscd in the Bible, he tried him in a
different way-sWho prolongs his work to
as great length as possible, and still COM
| pletes 1T in time ?"
aThe ropemaker, if he is industrious" said
the Jew s.
In the meanwhile they drew near to vii
lage, and one said to the other7-"That is
Bamlach"
Then the fourth asked-aIn what month
do the people in Bamlaeh eat the least ~
The Jew said-'sIn February; for it has
only twenty eight days. g
The 9th said-.There are two natural
brothers, and still only one Of them is my
unclen
The Jew said-aThe uncle is your fathers
brother, and your father is not your uncle. ;
A fish now leaped out Of the water, and
the sixth asked-aWhat fish have their eyes
nearest together
The jew said-sThe smallest
The seventh asked-gHoW can man rid,
HUN O1elt W OCIl III tuc cuuuC ~ tAC ouiAA
mer-time, when the sun shines :"
The jew said-'ely hen be comes to plac
where there is no shade, be must dismoan
and 20 on foot"
Il The eighth asked-sW hen a man rides.il
the winter-time, from Bern to Basic, and ha
forgotten his gloves, how must he manage $
that his hands shall not freeze"
The jew said-4He must make fists on
. Of them
Theninth was the last, This one asked
! SLOW can FIVE persons divide five eggs, s
Athat each man shall receive one, and still On
remain in the dish ~ 81
The Jew Subtitle last man takes II
I dish with the egg, and he can let It lie thel
as long as be pleases."
I But nov It came to his tnrn, and hedete
mined to make good sweep. After mar
preliminary compliments, he asked. with
i air Of mischievous friendliness How 6;
q man ffy tRo trouts in three pans, 50 that
trout may Re IN each pan r
No one could answer this, and one Al
> The other gave him twelve kreutzer piece
y Bat when The ninth desired that he shou
solve tie riddle, he rocked % and fro, shru
eed bis shoulders, and rolled bis eyes
II am poor lew he said ct last
4 The rest cried " hat has thai q DO vi
= i'll Give q Tie ansEerP