Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 493, 10 Ianuali 1902 — PAYING FOR A MEAL. [ARTICLE]

PAYING FOR A MEAL.

It ttu Worth a •hlllln* to Plek Those Bones. Colonel Ebenczer Sproat. of Revolutionary fame, was born and bred tn Middleboro. Mass. He was always fond of a Joke and was quick to seize an opportunity to indulge his propensity. as the following incident, related by Dr. Hildreth, well Illustrates. His father, also a Colonel Sproat, kept a tavern. One day while Ebenczer was at home on a furlough three private soldiers, on their return from the seat of war, called for a cold luncheon. Mrs. Sproat set on the table some bread and cheese with the remnants of the family dinner, which her son I thought rather scanty fare for hungry men. He felt a little vexed that the defenders of the country were not • more bountifully supplied. The sol- : dlers, after satisfying their appetites. , asked him how much they should pay. Ebenczer said he would ask bis mother. He found her in the kitchen. "Mother.” he said, "how much is it worth to pick those bones?’ "About a shilling. I guess.” she answered. The young officer returned to the sol- ' dlers. and. taking from the barroom tIU [ 8 shillings and smiling genially upon f them, gave each man one and with > good wishes sent them on their way. i Mrs. Sproat soon after came In and asked Ebenczer what he had done with the money for the soldiers’ dinner. In apparent amazement he esolaimi ed; "Money! Did 1 not ask you what i It was worth to pick those bones, and i you said a shilling? 1 thought it little 1 enough, for the bones were pretty bare, t and I handed the men the money from the till, and they are gone.” Mrs. Sproat could not find heart to reprove her favorite son for this misinterpretation of her words, and then she, too, loved a Joke, and so, after an s instant’s glum look, she laughed and said It was ail right.—Youth's Com- * panlon.