Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-07-20
ANEcDorAL LITERATURE.
Gathered and Compiled by W
FAIR PLAY.

FAIR PLAY.
A nobleman resident at a castle in
Italy was about to celebrate his
marriage feast. All the elements
were propiticus except the ocean,
which had been so boisterous as to
deny the very necessary appendage
of fish. On the very morning of the
feast, however, a poor fisherman
made his appearance with very
large turbot. !.Joy pervaded the
castle and the fisherman was ushered
with his prize into the saloon, where
the nobleman, in the presence of the
guests, requested him to put his price
on the fish, and it shall be instantly
paid. "0ne hundred lasheslh said
the fisherman, con my bare back, is
the price of my fish, and / will not
abate one strand of the whip cord on
the bargain" The nobleman and
his guests were not a little astonished,
but our chapman was resolute, and
remonstrance was in vain. At length
the nobleman exclaimed, "Well, well,
the fellow is humorist, and the fish
we must have; but lay on lightly, and
let the price be paid in our presence.
After fifty lashes had been admins
tered, the fisherman exclaimed,
aHold, hold, | have partner IN this
business, and it is fitting that he
should receive his SHARE" "What,"
exclaimed the nobleman, are there
two such madcaps in the world
Name him, and he shall be sent for
instantly" "You need not go far
for him." said the fisherman; "you
will find him at your gate, in the
shape OF your own porter, who would
not let me in until 1 promised that
he should have the half of whatever
I received.for my turbot." ooh, oh, "
said the nobleman, bring him up in
stantly, he shall receive his stipulated
moiety with the strictest justice
This ceremony being finished, he dis
charged the porter, and amply re-
warded the fisherman.
***
THE INFIDEL sUNIMAIILY ANSWERED.
Some years ago in company with
several OF my ministerial brethren,
the conversation happened to turn
upon infidelity and the specious
arguments they made use OF against
the Bible, the church and religion.
Ny friend p. related the following
as one of his experiences in dealing
with infidels aud skeptics:
~ was on one occasion unavoids-
bly, brought into contact with several
inidels and scoffers. Learning that
L was a christian minister, they
thought to have some sport at my
expense, and commenced to ply me
with questions relative TO certain
scriptural statements, expecting OF
course to expose me and religion to
the ridicule Of the company. Their
apparent leader put the following
question: Said he, "it is related in
the Bible that Jacob, when on his
way to Laban, in his fight from
Esau, lighted one evening upon a
certain place, and making pillow
of stone, lay down to sleep. And he
dreamed that he saw a ladder set up
on the earth, and the top ofitreached
to heaven, and the angels of God
assembled and descended on il. Now,
as angels are supposed to have wings
for the purpose of flying, why was a
ladder necessary, since they had
wings with which they could more
easily and rapidly ascend and de
| scend? Will your reverence, versed
in Biblical lore, please give us The
reasoni'
Certainly / said, 81 will do SC
willingly and With pleasure. 1t was
thus, gentleman: 1t happened thai
an infdel and blaspbeman, just such
as you are, had died, and these angels
were delegated to carry him to hell
and, unfortunately, they got tor
close to the flames and burnt their
wings, so that they were disabled
for flying. Thence the necessity q
the ladder"
This unexpected answer, and tht
applause OF the company completely
silenced the scohers.