A young Irishman at college in want of twenty-five dollars wrote to his uncle as follows:
"Dear Uncle. - If you could see how I blush for shame while I
am writing, you would pity me. Do you know why? Because I have
to ask you for a few dollars, and do not know how to express
myself. It is impossible for me to tell you. I prefer to die.
I send you this by messenger, who will wait for an answer.
Believe me, my dearest uncle, your most obedient and
affectionate nephew.
"P.S. - Overcome with shame for what I have written, I have
been running after the messenger in order to take the letter
from him, but I cannot catch him. Heaven grant that something
may happen to stop him, or that this letter may get lost."
The uncle was naturally touched, but was equal to the emergency. He replied as follows:
"My Dear Jack - Console yourself and blush no more. Providence
has heard your prayers. The messenger lost your letter. Your
affectionate uncle."
