THE THREE PENNIES
ANY years ago an old soldier was discharged from the army. He received in consideration of his excellent and faithful service a small loaf of rye-bread and three pennies, whereupon he was at liberty to go whither he pleased. As he was walking along the high-road, he met three men; the one carried a shovel, the second a pickaxe, and the third a spade. The soldier stopped, looked at them, and said, "Where are you going?" "I will tell you," answered one of them. "To-day there was buried a man who owed each of us one penny, and now we will dig him up, since we are determined upon getting our dues." "What an idea!" returned the soldier; "you had better leave the dead man alone. At any rate, he is at present unable to pay you even one penny, so don't disturb his peace!" "It is all very fine for you to talk," answered the man; "but we must have the money, and up he must come."
When the soldier felt that his fair words could not settle the matter, he said, "Here, I have two pennies; will you take them and promise to leave
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