EXCEEDINGLY CAUTIOUS.
A gentleman once told a strange story, one that, like so many other true stories, was difficult to believe.
His auditors showed by their manners that they doubted, and so he appealed to another gentleman who had been present at the time to confirm the truth of his statement.
To his amazement, this man replied stiffly, and said:[{50}]
“I regret that I do not remember the circumstances to which you allude.”
The next day both these persons met, and the first gentleman said:
“But can’t you really remember those extraordinary circumstances?”
“Oh, yes,” replied the second.
“Then why the dickens did you say you didn’t, when I asked you about them before?” inquired Mr. One indignantly.
“Ah,” replied Mr. Two, “I saw that the company, all of them took you for a liar, and I wasn’t going to be taken for another!”