Sly Grog Shanty
Coolgardie 1905
Paddy Murphy ran a ‘Shypoo’ (sly grog) ranch unbeknownst to the authorities. His establishment was always identified by Paddy’s favorite pet pig. Paddy could not read or write, nor could his wife Bridget. Their system of accounting didn’t apply the rules of double entry it answered all practical accounting purposes well enough. It was simplicity itself.
For each customer a large potato was held in the back room and Paddy made a nick in the said vegetable each time a drink was ordered. After a long evening all the old weight chasers had folded up their tents and called in to ‘wash off’ the track. They called to Paddy for their account at the end of their revels.
Rushing out to the back room to count out their indebtedness calamity awaited him!!!!!! Horrified he returned to the bar woefully and said to his better half “Jesus Bridget the %#?#!! pig has eaten the ledgers.
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