The Unfaithful Servant.
A nobleDuke of Scotland, in one of his walks, chanced one day to see a very fine cow. Having ascertained to whom the animal belonged, he went to the owner, and offered him a handsome price for her. For a time the latter hesitated, but at length accepted it, and promised to drive the cow the next morning.
Not finding it convenient to go himself, the farmer sent his boy to drive the cow. On approaching the house, the animal appeared frightened, and refused to proceed. At the time, the Duke happened to be walking at a short distance, and the boy, not knowing who he was, craved his assistance, in his Scotch brogue.
“Heh, mun, come here, an’ gie’s a han’ wi’ this beast.”
The Duke, perceiving the boy’s mistake, pursued his walk, without appearing to understand it. In the mean time, the cow became still more unmanageable, upon which the lad, with a tone of apparent distress, cried out, “Come here, mun, and as sure’s anything, I’ll gie ye the hauf o’ what I get.”
Pleased with the boy’s manner, and especially with his generosity, the Duke now stepped forward as requested, and lent a helping hand.
“And now,” said the Duke, as they drove the cow forward, “how much do you think you will get for this job?”
“Oh, I dinna ken,” said the boy, “but I’m sure o’ something, for the folk up bye at the house are guid to a’ bodies.”
As they approached the house, the Duke darted by the boy, and, entering by a private way, called a servant, and putting a sovereign into his hand, bid him give it to the boy that drove the cow.
The Duke now returned to the avenue, and was soon rejoined by the boy.
“Well, and how much did you get, my lad?” inquired the Duke.
“Ashilling,” said the boy, “and there’s half o’t t’ ye.”
“A shilling!” rejoined the Duke, “only a shilling! you got more.”
“No I dinna,” said the boy with great earnestness, “as sure’s death, that’s a’ I get, and d’ye no think it plenty?”
“I do not,” said the Duke; “there must be some mistake, and as I am acquainted with the Duke, if you’ll return with me, I’ll get you some more money.”
The boy consented, and back they went. The Duke rang the bell, and ordered all the servants to be assembled.
“Now,” said the Duke to the boy, “point out to me the person that gave you the shilling.”
“It was the chap there, wi’ the white apron,” said the boy, pointing to the butler.
“You villain,” said the Duke.
The butler fell upon his knees, and confessed the wicked act.
“Give the boy the sovereign, and immediately leave my house,” said the Duke.
The butler implored.
“No,” said the Duke, “you are no longer to be trusted. You have been detected in an act of villany, which renders you unfit to serveme. You have lost your shilling, your situation, and your character. Go, and henceforth learn that ‘honesty is the best policy.’”
By this time, the boy discovered, to his amazement, his assistant, in the person of the Duke; and the Duke was so delighted with the sterling worth and honesty of the boy, that he ordered him to be sent to school, and to be provided for at his own expense.
Daniel Purcell, the punster, being desired to make a pun extempore, asked, “Upon what subject?” “The king,” was the answer. “O, sir,” replied Daniel, “the king is not asubject.”