EBOOK PUNCH ***
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PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
VOL. 101.
December 5, 1891.
QUITE FABULOUS!
(_A STORY OF THE TIMES, DEDICATED TO PROFESSOR MUNRO._)
KING COLE, although described as a "merry old soul," was in reality
a tyrant. He had a number of subjects who used to work underground,
and their labour was to bring to the surface the black diamonds of
the earth. It was not altogether a pleasant occupation, but still,
the task had to be accomplished. His Majesty was fond of ferocious
practical jokes, and perchance this may have been the origin of
the jocular description attached to his name. One day, some of his
subjects complained that their hours of labour were too many.
"How long do you work?" asked the King.
"May it please you, Sire, sixteen," was the reply.
"Try what you can do with twelve," and they were about to depart
rejoicing, when the Monarch called them back and added, "But mind you,
I shall expect just as many black diamonds to be unearthed as before."
So the King's subjects worked only twelve hours, and strange to say,
quite as many black diamonds were produced as in the olden days.
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