Once while riding on a train, the beloved American poet James Whitcomb Riley broke a minor company rule and was severely reprimanded by the conductor.

“Aren’t you going to answer him back?” Inquired Riley’s traveling companion. “At least you’ll report him to the company, won’t you?”

“No,” Riley replied. “As for as I’m concerned, the matter is settled. If that unpleasant individual can stand himself all his life, I guess I can put up with him for a few minutes.”

Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.

Thanks to WITandWISDOM(tm) – February 4, 2000 subscribe-wit-wisdom@xc.org