Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-11-08
Liyiue on Ones Wits

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Nine persons sailed from Balst
down the Rhine A Jew, who wished
to go to Schalampi, was allowed to
come on board and journey with
them, on condition that be would
conduct himself with propriety, and
give the, captain eighteen kreutzers
for his passage.
Nov, it is true something jingled
in the Jew pocket when be struck bis
hand against it, but the only money
therein was twelve kreutzer piece,
for the other was q brass button.
Notwithstanding this, he accepted
the offer with gratitude, for he
thought to himself, Something may
be earned even upon the water
There is man who has grown rich
on the Rhine"
During the first part Of the voyage,
the passengers we're very talkative
and merry, and the Jew, with wallet
under his arm-for he did not lay it
aside-was the object Of much mlrth
and mockery, as alas! is often the
case with those of his nation. But
as the vessel sailed onward, and pass
ed Terrington aud st. Vert, the
passengers, one after the other, grew
silent and gazed down the river until
one spoke out:
''Come, Jew, do you know any
pastime that will amuse Us? Your
father must have contrived many a
one during bis long stay in the viii
derness."
"Now is the time," thought the
Jew, "to shear my sheep!" And he
proposed that they should sit in a
circle and popound questions to each
other, and he, with their permission,
would sit down with them. Those
who could not answer the questions,
should pay the one who propounded
them q twelve kreutzer piece, and
those who answered them pertinently,
should receive o twelve kreutzer
piece.
Tho proposal pleased the company,
and hoping to divert themselves with
the Jews wit or stupidity, each one
asked atrapdom whatever entered bis
head.
Thus, for example, the first one
asked:
"Iow many soft boiled eggs could
o giant eat on on empty stomach!
All said that it was impossible to
answer that question, and each paid
over their twelve kreutzers.
But the Jew said, "One, for he who
has eaten one egg, cannot eat a second
on an empty stomach" and the other
paid him twelve kreutzers.
The second thought, wait, Jew, |
will try you on the New Testament,
and | think I shall win my piece.
"Why did the apostle Paul write
the second epistle to the Coiinthi-.
ans?"
The Jew said, because he was
not in Corinth, otherwise he would
have spokent to them" So he won
another twelve kreutzer piece.
When the third found the Jew so
we'll yersed in the Bible, he tried him
in different way.
"Who .prolongs bis work to as
great o length as possible, yet COM
pletea it in timer
aThe rope maker ii be is induatrl-
ous," said the Jew.
In the meanwhile they drew near
the village, and one said to the other,
"that is Bamlach.'
Then the fourth said, SIN what
month do the people Of Bamlach eat
the least?"
The Jew said, sin February, for
that has only twenty-eight days"
Z The fifth said, '.there are two nat
ural brothers, and still only one OF
them is my uncle"
The Jew said, athe uncle is your
fathers brother and your father is
not your uncle"
A fish now jumped out Of the
water and the sixth asked, "wbat
fish have their eyes nearest togeth-
err"
The Jew said, "the smallest
The ninth was the last. This one
asked, ssHow can Eve persons divide
Eve sso thateach man shall receive
one. and still one remain in the dish?'
The Jew said, 'sThe last mus
take the dish with the egg, and le
lit stay there ss long as he pleases.'
| But now it came to his turn. enc