The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1906-09-19
THE BAKER'S DOZEN.

Story of Its Origin According to the
Dutch Legend.
Some persons, including a few ency-
clopedists, are inclined to think that
the bakers dozen originated when
heavy fines were considered necessary
to counterbalance light weights and the
bakers, in order to insure full weight,
took the precautiOn to add an addi-
tional unit. Some have called it the
devils dozen, because thirteen was the
number of witches who used to ride
their broomsticks to the "black mass
Of Satan. The bakers great book In
the Astor library has another story of
its origin:
Jan Petersen of Amsterdam was a
good churchman, but nevertheless he
was afraid of being bewitched. On the
last night of 1864 he sat in his bake
shop trying to keep out the evil spirits
by printing himself with a glass of
good spirits. Sales had been, brisk.
There were no customers in the shop
for the moment, and he sat back, medi-
tating on the gains he would make on
the morrow, when the fresh New
Years cakes were put on sale. He was
startled by q sudden rap. An ugly wo-
man pushed the door open.
"Give me a dozen New Years cook
ies," she cried in a shrill voice.
The shrillness Of her voice did not
mean anything to his slow Dutch mind.
1t only annoyed him.
'Well, then, you needn't speak SO
loud" said Jan. Pm not deaf"
"a dozenw she screamed. "Give me
dozen. Here are only twelve!'
"Well, then, twelve is a Dozen"
Zone more! 1 want Dozen"
"Well, then, If you want another, go
to the devil and get it,
The bag left the shop, but from that
night Jan had trouble. The shop seem
ed to be bewitched. His cakes were
stolen. Either his bread was so light
that it scared up the chimney or SO
heavy that the supports Of the oven
gave way beneath the burden. His
wife became deaf; his children went
wild. His trade took wings and set
tied in the shops Of his rivals. Three
times the old woman returned, and
each time was directed to the devils
sanctum. At last, in despair, the baker
called upon st. Nicholas to assist him.
The venerable patron of Dutch feasts
delivered a lecture on charity, telling
the trembling man to be more gener-
GUS in the future. Then he vanished,
and in his place stood the bag, who re-
peated her demand for one more cake.
Jan acceded, whereupon she eXclaim-
ed: ''The spell is broken. From this
time one dozen is thirteen" Taking
from the counter gingerbread e1igy
Of st. Nicholas, she made the subdueu
Dutchman lay his hand upon it and
swear to give more liberal measure in
the future Since that time thirteen
has been called Il bakers doZen.-New
York Tribune ..-..
The Irish Bull In Journalism.
Of we'll known reporter Of a past
generation many curiosities of style
are still repeated with zest by Dublin
Journalists. 1t was this man who ex-
planned, describing case Of drown
Ing of Oakley, "The body was washed
ashore by a receding wave" OF a fu-
gitive from justice he wrote: 'The
burglar was surrounded on all sides by
the police. Escape was impossible.
Suddenly he made his way down q
cul-de-sac and disappeared through a
side street" The most popular story
of this impressionist writer, however,
relates to Mr.. Gladstone. On the
Grand Old Mans one and only visit to
Dublin he was interviewed by the &C.
centric press man. Mr.. Gladstone, at
the conclusion of a somewhat amusing
array of questions, very courteously
expressed his pleasure at meeting the
interviewer. The latter, in high. state
of delight, said with enthusiasm, '"The
pleasure is mutual, Mr. Gladstone, but
Is all on my side."-LOndon Tribune.
A Polite Editor.
"Whv did Won fell that moot RI hifol,