The weekly Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1872-190?, 1873-04-19
ANECDOTES.

| LDs
! Prisons AND BIRDs-It is yerv pleasant
to have singing birds in our houses, and few
people think that the little songsters might
prefer the open air and woods to the confne-
ment OF cage. But one who has been
shut up in prison himself understands it,
like the sailor in the following anecdote:
Soon after the close of the long French
war in Europe, boy stood on one of the
bridges that cross the Thames in London.
with number of small birds in a cage for
sale.
A sailor, who was passing, observed the
little prisoners iuttering about the cage,
peeping anxiOusly through the wires, and
Inaniiesting their eager desire to regain their
liberty. He stood some time looking at the
birds. apparently lost in thought. AT length
addressing the boy, he said
" How much do you ask for your birds,
my boy"
"SIxpence apiece, sir"
al don't ask how much apiece" said the
sailor chow much for the lot? l want to
buy all hands"
The boy made his calculations - they
came to six shillings.
There is your money" said the sailor,
giving the cash, which the boy received with
evident satisfaction.
No sooner was the bargain closed than the
sailor opened the cage door, and let all the
birds Fly away.
The boy astonished, exclaimed
why did you do that, sir You have
| lost all your BIRDS"
'l'll tell you why I did it. 1 was shut
up three years in French prison as pris-
| oner of war, and am resolved never to see
anything in prison that can make Free"
MISUNDERSTANDING. - A case of misun-
Outstanding occurred up in the country last
week.
Riding up to hotel in Cortland County,
we saw the big, smart landlord, with his
boys, smoking short pipes on the oalcony
while his wife was sweeping around the
chairs.
Halloo! Do you keep this hotel?"
No, sir, reckon not this tavern keeps
me-"
Il mean, are you master here?"
"Waal, sumtmes l am looking at the
old lady's broom), but guess the boys an
| run the stable-take your hoss?"
Yes, everything drinks round here"
"Any alesl"
"Touch of the rheumatic myself--folks
generally healthy, though"
Il mean have you got any porter?'
% es, Johns is our porter. Hold his
boss. john"
Il mean, any porter to drink ?"
PORTER to drink?' Why, j ohm can drink
| an eff he can't drink enough, 1 kin whip
right smart O. Ticker myself .-
"Pshaw, stupid! have | got to come down
and see myselfv'
You kin come down, Shaw Stupid, an
see yourself eff you want to-thar's a good
looking glass in the bar-room."
Too Much CRED1T-Mr. K, a shrewd
and thrifty farmer of Allenborongh, owned
large flock of sheep, and one autumn, when
It came housing time, he was greatly annoy
ed upon missing number of his finest NUT
tons ; among them three or four wethers
which he had raised and fattened for his
own table. He was sure it was not the
work Of dogs, and the most he could do was
to await further developments.
In the following spring, when his sheep
we're turned out to pasture, he instituted a
careful watch, and ere long detected Tom
s., a neighboring farmer, in the act of pill
fering sheep; but he made no noise about
it at the time. S. was man we'll TODD, and
K. did not care to expose him.
Autumn came again, and upon counting
up his flock, Mr.. X. found eight sheep miss
ing. He made out bill in due form to
Thomas for the eight sheep. and presented
it. S. choked and stammered. but did not
back down. Like prudent man he paid
the bill. and pocketed the receipt.
Another spring time came, and Mr.. KS
sheep were again turned out. Another au-
tumn came. and the farmer again took an
account of his stock, and this time fifteen
sheep were missing. As before. he made
out the bill to Tom for the whole number
missing; but this time Tom objected.
:" 1t is too much OF good thing" said he
" Fifteen sheep! Why, bless your soul, |
haven't had fifth part of EN-"
Mr.. X. was memorable.
There is the BILL" said he, "and I have
made it out in good faith. I have made no
fuss when my sheep have been missing. be-
cause deemed your credit good and suffi-
Gent"
well" groaned Tom, with a big gulp,
81 suppose must obey; but" he added,
emphatically, well close that account from
this time. You have given me too much
credit altogether-some other rascal has
been stealing on the strength of - " est
ern Rural
WHO HAD HAND IN 1.-THE follow
ing squib was perpetrated in one of the
public schools in Philadelphia County. 1t
seems that few hours exemption from mis-
chief had greatly enlarged the bump of
" trickery" in the upper stories Of some of
the young ideas" and they took and
smeared the balustrades from top to bot
tom with tar, and when the master came in,
he very naturally laid his hand on it when
he surmounted the stairs. He was soon
aware of his sad mishap, but said nothing
about it until the scholars bad been called
in and taken their seats, when he acquainted
them with the fact, and said he would give
any one foe dollars who would inform him
who had hand in it. At this moment, up
jumped little red headed Brchin. who said
"Ther, you seth you'll give any one five
dollars who'll tell who had hand in it
Yes"
"Now, thir, you'll not whip me, will your"
mo"
Well. thir-. Now. you won't whip ?"
You young scamp Ill lick you if you
don't tell pretty soon"
"Thir. y-o-u-oh l don't like to-"
"Go on, or Ill skin you aliver'
"Well, thir, you had hand in nt'
The master gave in, and forked over.
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