Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-09-14
DEAN SWIFT AND THE COBLER.


An English gentleman having come oc-
cssion 10 see the Dean, went over to Ireland
for the purpose of waiting on him, bu, being
an entire stranger 10 the country, he made
many Intellectual inquiries after his place of
residence, till a, length be found ou, cob
ler's stall in the vicinity of his msnsiop,
where, seeing the man al work, he inquired
of him where the Dean lived.
The cobler pursuing his business, and
unmindful of the inquiries, replied, 81 know
nothing at all about him"
In the interim a woman passed by and
hearing the conversation, asked the cobler
if he was no. ashamed TO say he did no,
know the Dean, when he lived but few
doors from him 20
The cobler still persis,ing in his answer
the woman directed the gentleman 10 the
Dean, who it would be necessary 10 men,
ton, received him with that politeness and
hospitality for which he was distinguished.
After The Dean and his CUES. had complet-
ed the business they had been investigating,
they went into general topics Of conversa-
ton in the course of which the gentleman
told the Dean he was aslonished lha, man
Of his public character should be so linle
known.
$50 little known" replied the Dean, 81 am
known from one end Of Ireland to the 9TH
er! Not a shoe black, nor chandler's
shop, but could direct you"
"How happens it then, says the gentle
man, that the cobler opposite, now OF work
in his stall, says he does no, know you -
IN o. know me I'll send for him direct
ly, and know The cause of This insult.'
lie sent for the cobler, who attended
forthwith when inquiring of him how he
dared to say he did not know him !? the
cobler Scratching his head) said, your hon.
or, never knows man never drank with,
and never drank with your honor!
The Dean conceiving him TO be one Of his
sort in eccen,rici,y, said, "weIl, cobler, we
will be better acquanted,'' and ordering up
bottle of wine, bid him sit down and drink
with him, which, while they were doing,
cheek by jole, as The saying is, The Dean
inquired after his pursuits in lile-as how
| he lived, what family he had, SC.
The cobIer told him he had wife and
six children, and nothing but his labor 10
The Dean then asked him if it would 90
him q service were he to lend him sc. and to
take il by inslalments a, g per week; TO
which The cober replied she should consi-
der him the best friend he ever had"
The Dean Immediately gave him the mo-
should come on that day week, ard every
succeeding week, till the whole Of the mo-
ney should be paid; which the cobler a.
greed to do, they had recourse totheir con-
versa,on and the bottle.
When the cobler found The bottle nearly
exhausted, he asked the Dean if he would
grant him favor.
The Dean, after some hesitation, said,
She could not grant him favor unless he
knew The conditions"
The other, replied, ''Ihat he could not
propose i, unless be Internationally agreed
to compliance, stating there was nothing
improper in it.'
The Dean conceiving the cobler an od>
di,y like himself, agreed to grant it.
The cobler then said, "will you agree 10
cobler's law -
"Cobler's lawm said the Dean; bu.
have promised, and will egree."
ssThen said the cobler, "!he cobler's law
RI is ths,-tha, he who is the receiver treats ;
/ and as have received FIVE pounds of you
this night, here is the two shillings for the
bottle of wine."
RI The Dean took his money, and at part
, ing desired him to be punctual, which the
cobler promised.
On the first day of payment The cobler
| went to fulfill his engagement, and paid the
Fl Dean his first instalmeni, which, after hav'
ing received, he was leaving the room,
when the cobler told him he was the re-
; ceiver and of course must treat him.
/ "Plsgue take you," said the Dean, ''il
cober's law obiges me TO treat you with q
bottle of wine every time you pay me two
shllings, I'd better be without your Gus
tom. Keep the money and don't trouble
me more"