The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-08
JOHN THE sIMPLEToA.

lnnaDltanto were prosperous DccduSo ehey
were industrious. or course. some OF the
people were poor. for this is the way OF the
world: but IL frequently happens that pow
erty is greater blessing than riches.
THE Inhabitants Of this city were very
lightly governed They paid few tithes.
and the bulk Of those were expended In
laying out pleasure grounds and making
other desirable Improvements that all the
people could enjoy.
-There were no crimes committed, there
were no disputes OF any moment, and. as
q result cobwebs were growing on the door
Of the temple OF justice. Such lawyers as
had begun 70 practise In this city were COM
PEELED to move away or go into the grocery
business. -.
sTbere WAS but one idle fellow In the city.
This was John the Simpleton, who had been
permitted to grow up In idleness because
1t was thought he was nothing more than
a half.wit.
sHe was indeed a queer character, and
was always engaged in some strange ad-
venture On one occasion he volunteered
to gild the spire OF the cathedral, which
was the pride Of the town. He did pretty
lob of work, but when he came down he
left his hat hanging on the topmost pin
nac'a.
His excuse was that he left II there
to keen the rain on the face of a saint. whose
portrait was exposed to the weather. He
made no charge for what he had done
his hong yellow hair blowing about in the
breezes.
sOn one occasion. when a man had been
cruel to his wife. John the Simpleton posed
bv the mans house leading a dog. Find
ing that this attracted no attention he
turned about and led the dog up and down
In front OF the house.
sFina,lv the good woman came to the
door and asked him the meaning OF the
performance. -,
would teach YOU a lesson.
What e the lesson? she inquired.
TT Ia better to lead a dog than to be
led nv one. When In your husband aboutT
Tn the early morning. replied the
woman.
Tomorrow morning when you hear a
f,.ss at YOUR door send him out to see what
the trouble Vs.
$50 the next morning when the good
woman heard tremendous squat nc at
the door. she ran and told her husband.
saving she was afraid TO 40 much as put
her head out at the win dow. The man
vent 10 the door and there saw John the
S'mpleton thwack nQ a stuffed figure made
in tho emblance OF a woman.
What are you doing there, rascalT he
cried.
follow. I caught the disease at your
door
tive man, angry and ashamed, made
an effort to drive the Young fellow away,
whereupon John the simpleton fell upon
him and gave him a severe trouncing:
which the neighborhood declared he well
deserved.
sOn another occasion he went to the
shop OF man who was known to give
short weight, especially TO women and
children. raped on the counter. and said
he wanted a shilling's worth OF butter.
NV l,,. I'D aatA hD
would prefer bread instead. He received
the bread, and was going out, when the
man called after him:
Pay me for my bread he said
II gave you the butter for it, replied
John the Simpleton.
Then pay me for the butter, said TIE
But have bought no butter protested
the Slmpleton. DO you take me for a
child or woman that you try to swindle
me In this manner"
THE young fellow spoke in so loud a
voice, and his bearing was 20 bold that
the shopkeeper could only shake his head
and warn John the Sinpleton never TO come
into his place again.
But one day the inhabitants OF this
favored city-the birthplace and home
OF John the Simpleton-were awakened
early one morning 10y the woful cries OF
the Mayor. who was going about the streets
wringing his hands and declaring that
he had been robbed the night before OF
large quantity Of gold and silver.
THE people were horrifed. Within the
recollection OF the oldest inhabitant such
q high-handed crime had never before been
committed within the boundaries OF the
town. There had been petty tiieving
but the articles stolen were hardly valuaDie
enough 10 cause q complaint from those
who lost them.
.Among tliose attracted by the cries
II A.. hs.
He followed the worthy man about anu
watched him with 40 much interest and
curiosity that his example was followed
by other people. and pretty soon the Mayor
had half the city al his heels.
He was q very dlgnlhod Official and had
never before been known to give way to
his feelings There would have been q
great sympathy for him but for the antics
% John the Simp.eton, who followed close
i,ehind him. but this queer fellow. who had
discovered that the Mayors woe Was no
deeper than his eyelid, managed 20 turn
| the whole AFFAIR into ridicule and before
the procession had gone n great way the
mob Was shouting and laughing AZ GROW d
dos ON . holiday occasion,
The Mayor iried hard 90 esoape. but
wherever 10. weiii the lsoops led 10y John
tho simplston. followed olos. q, his heels
AT last the sorthy oficiai toDk refuge
/ la tho church, but - tlls chuui ~as olbstn
Ia ell. ths crowd followed The Mayo
efidassofct 70 esaalr by eide door, bui
| John ths slmpe,on hal ant iolpsisJ THE
maj enlshi, and ~ the Mayor dl.apiasI I'd
bsland ihs slas do,f Joiln bs-'k1i.sd IA
4 tho cfosa. snd they ilouf.i uut il,to ii.s
s,T@d aad the Mayor found himself in tho
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