A rather simple-looking lad halted before a blacksmith's shop on his way home from school and eyed the doings of the proprietor with much interest.
The brawny smith, dissatisfied with the boy's curiosity, held a piece of red-hot iron suddenly under the youngster's nose, hoping to make him beat a hasty retreat.
"If you'll give me half a dollar I'll lick it," said the lad.
The smith took from his pocket half a dollar and held it out.
The simple-looking youngster took the coin, licked it, dropped it in his pocket and slowly walked away whistling.