A lawyer advertised for a clerk. The next morning the office was crowded with applicants—all bright and many suitable. He bade them wait until all should arrive and then arranged them all in a row and said he would tell them a story, note their comments and judge from that whom he would choose.
“A certain farmer,” began the lawyer, “was troubled with a red squirrel that got in through a hole in his barn and stole his seed corn. He resolved to kill the squirrel at the first opportunity. Seeing him go in at the hole one noon he took his shotgun and fired away. The first shot set the barn on fire.”
“Did the barn burn?” said one of the boys.
The lawyer, without answer, continued:
“And seeing the barn on fire the farmer seized a pail of water and ran to put it out.”
“Did he put it out?” said another.
“As he passed inside the door shut to and the barn was soon in flames. When the hired girl rushed out with more water——“
“Did they all burn up?” said another boy.
The lawyer went on without answer: “Then the old lady came out, and all was noise and confusion and everybody was trying to put out the fire.”
“Did any one burn up?” said another.