HOW NEAR TO THE PRECIPICE?
A RICH man wanted to hire a coachman, some skillful driver who could manage a pair of spirited horses. At the hour he appointed, four men came to try and get the place. Turning to the one nearest to him, he said, "How near can you drive to a precipice and not go over?" "Oh!" answered the man, "I can go within three feet of it." The second man said, "Sure, and I can go within two feet of the bank,"—but whilst he was speaking a strong man, with a brawny arm, lifted his hand and said, "Indeed I have heen six inches from the very edge and drove away safe." The gentleman turned to the only man who had not yet spoken, a small, mild-looking man, whom the others thought would never he in their way. To him he said, "I suppose you can go no nearer than that?" "No, sir!" answered he, with determination; "It is my rule to keep as far from danger as possible."—"You are the man for me," said the gentleman; "I do not wish to hire any one to see how near they can drive my family to destruction."