An older gentleman having recently moved to another part of Ireland where he was not know goes into the local pub and orders three pints of Guiness. He then takes the three pints, finds himself a table and proceeds to drink the pints after tapping them all together and giving a toast. This goes on each night therafter. The innkeeper, bursting with curiousity at this nightly ritual, finaly asks the man, "Why do you perform tis routine each evening?"
The oldtimer explains that in his previous home he and two of his mates had agreed that no matter where any of them moved that they would each drink three stouts a night in their honor. One went to Australia, one moved to Canada and this old timer had relocated here, continuing the agreed upon ritual.
Time passed and one day he came in and ordered only two stouts, taking them to his table and slowly drinking them down. The next night, the inkeeper having noticed the change in routine went to the old man's table and told him he was sorry to see that he was now only getting two pints, and commiserating with the old gentleman on the loss of one of his mates.
"Oh, you've got it all wrong," said the old timer, "all three of us are still very much alive!"