The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-12-13
The Curate and the Bricklayer.

A Manchester curate did q good thing
the other day. Walking along street in
the dinner hour, he passed lot of brick
layers smoking their after dinner pipe, and
heard one of them say, "I'd like to be
parson, and have nothing to do but to walk
about in a long black coat, and carry
walking stick in my fist, and get lot of
brass. Of course, there was laugh at the
parsons expense, but he turned sharp
round and said, $50 you'd like to be a par
son. How much do get week ~
"Twenty- shillings," was the re-
ply.
"Well," said the curate, Though Pm on
ly poor man, rll give you twenty seven
shillings if you'll come along with me for
six days and see how you like it. Then
you'll be better able to talk about it.
The bricklayer tried to back out of it,
but his mates told him, may, man, thou
said'st thou'd like it, thou must go with
the parson chap" So he put on his coat
and started with the curate amidst roar
of laughter. The parson presently turned
down an alley, and told his companion
that they were going to see sick man and
that lie must mind not to make noise
going up stairs.
"What might the matter be with him 2"
asked the bricklayer. SMALLPOX" said
the parson.
ooh, then, said the man, "I'll just wait
outside for you, sir, for I've not had it my
self, and I've got wife and children to
think Of" "That's exactly my case" re-
piled the curate, "for I have not had it,
and have wife and children depending
on me. But you agreed to come with me
wherever went.
The man of bricks began not to like it,
and after moments hesitation lie asked,
"And where are you going next2'
Then the parson told him that they
would have to visit another house that day
where the father lay in his coffin and all
the family were down with the scarlet fe-
yer, and also house where there was ty-
plus; and that on the morrow there would
be longer round.
This floored the bricklayer. Sir" said
he, "I'll go back TO my old job, if you
please, and I'll say no more agin you par
sons.
So off he went; and let us hope he kept
his word, and never taunts the parsons with
having nothing to do" but to walk about
in a long black coat and get lot of brass
Nor GUILTY BUT MUST RETURN THE
SHEEP.-Apropos of the verdict in the
Thistleton case, at Los Angeles, which
cleared the defendant of libel, while the
jury signed paper declaring the prosecu-
tor pure and free from the charge in the Ii
bel, we are reminded of a trial that took
place in Justice Wilson's court in San
Diego. A man accused of stealing sheep
was on trial. After the evidence was all
in the jury retired, and, as in the Thistleton
case, stood eleven for acquittal and one for
guilty. Finally the twelfth man agreed to
Join the others, provided they would sign
verdict as follows: I've, the jury, find
the defendant not guilty, but request that
he return the sheep" Pertinent to the
reason assigned by the Thistleton jury,
that they ibid not wish to put the county
to further expense" we have another YER
dict by a San Diego jury in case tried
before the same justice. A negro woman
| had sued a man for assault with q
stone. The accused was put on the
stand and admitted that he had thrown
| the stone. Notwithstanding, the jury
brought in verdict of not guilty. In
| conversation afterward the members of the
Jury defended this curious verdict of not
guilty on the ground that taxes were al
ready too high, and they did not want to
put the county to additional expense
Los Angeles Herald.