Two in Trouble

Belinda

MEETING a fat and patriotic Statesman on his way to Washington to

    beseech the President for an office, an idle Tramp accosted him and

    begged twenty-five cents with which to buy a suit of clothes.

    "Melancholy wreck," said the Statesman, "what brought you to this

    state of degradation?  Liquor, I suppose."

    "I am temperate to the verge of absurdity," replied the Tramp.  "My

    foible was patriotism; I was ruined by the baneful habit of trying

    to serve my country.  What ruined you?"

    "Indolence."