The Doctor and His Tongue
SNIPPED.—Dr. John Gill was a wit, and often used it in disciplining his flock. An old lady, a member of his church, once called upon him with a grievance. The Doctor's neck-bands were too long for her ideas of ministerial humility, and after a long harangue on the sin of pride, she intimated that she had brought her scissors with her, and would be pleased, if her dear pastor would allow her, to clip them down to propriety. The Doctor not only listened patiently to her lecture, but handed over the offending white bands for her to operate upon. When she had cut them to her satisfaction and returned them, it was the Doctor's turn. "Now," said he, "my good sister, and you must do me a good turn also." "Yes, that I will, Doctor; what can it be?" "Well, you have something about you which is a deal too long, and causes me no end of trouble, and I should like to see it shorter." "Indeed, dear sir, I will not hesitate; what is it? Here are the scissors; use them as you please." "Come, then," said the sturdy divine, "good sister, put out your tongue."