The Sick Man And The Fire-Man

THERE wasonce a sick man in a burning house, to whom there entered a fireman. "Donot save me," said the sick man. " Save those who are strong." "Willyou kindly tell me why?" inquired the fireman, for he was a civil fellow. "Nothing could possibly be fairer," said the sick man. " The strongshould be preferred in all cases, because they are of more service in the world."The fireman pondered a while, for he was a man of some philosophy. "Granted," said he at last, as a part of the roof fell in; " but forthe sake of conversation, what would you lay down as the proper service of the Strong?' ' " Nothing can possibly be easier," returned the sick man: "the proper service of the strong is to help the weak. ' ' Again the firemanreflected, for there was nothing hasty about this excellent creature. "Icould forgive you being sick," he said at last, as a portion of the wallfell out, " but I cannot bear your being such a fool. ' ' And with that heheaved up his fireman's axe, for he was eminently just, and clove the sick manto the bed.