17 MAY 1930, Page 18

ANOTHER COUNTY STORY [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I

regret having missed the opportunity of con- tributing to your County Story Competition. The County of Durham is rich in good stories. Although too late, the 'following one may amuse your readers : " A country vicar in walking through his parish came across one of his parishioners riding an ass, and flogging it without mercy. in:taking him to task for his rough treatment, he said, ` George ! George! I thought you were a merciful man and a man of reflection. If so, you would realize that our Lord rode into Jerusalem on an ass.' George, in his crude manner : 'Weell, sir, I don't knaw whither He did or nut, but I de knaw this, if He had been ridin' yon little ass He wadn't ha been theer yit.' "

Hall Garth, Coatham Munderille, Darlington.