The Christening

A Highland minister went to entreat the commander of a regiment at Fort George to pardon a poor fellow who, under doubtful circumstances, had been sentenced to death. The officer, who was given to making fun of ministers and of religion, said he would pardon the culprit on one condition, namely, that the minister would, in
regular form, baptize his puppy.

The minister remonstrated, but at last (to save the doomed man’s life) he agreed. The officer thereupon invited a party to the christening, to have some sport over it. The minister took his place, and desired the officer to hold up the puppy.

“ As I am a minister of the Church of Scotland,” he said, “ I must proceed in the usual order.”

The major said that was what he wanted.

“ Well, then.” said the minister, “ I begin with the usual question: “Do you acknowledge yourself to be the father of this puppy puppy?”

The company roared, but it was at the major, who found himself caught in his own trap. He had, however, a keen sense of humour, took the joke in good part, threw the puppy aside, pardoned the soldier, and good-naturedly
knowledged himself beaten with his own weapons, and asked the minister to wait and have dinner with the company.

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