"I don"t know, mammy," was the thoughtful reply. "Really, I don"t think I"ll ever get married."
A note of sadness in the speaker"s voice moved the old woman to attempt philosophical consolation:
"Well, they do say as how ole maids am the happies" kind after they quits strugglin"."
SPITE
The faithful old employee asked for a day off. The request was granted, with an inquiry as to what he intended to do on his holiday.
"I think," came the cautious answer, "I shall go to my wife"s funeral.
She died the other day."
A few weeks later, the request for a day off was repeated.
"And what are you going to do this time?" the employer asked.
"I think, mebbe, I"ll get married."
"What! So soon after burying your wife?"
The faithful old employee smiled tolerantly, as he answered:
"Oh, well, I was never one to hold spite."
SPORTSMANSHIP
In the party out after reed birds was a tyro at the sport. When at last he saw one of the birds walking about, he plumped down on his stomach, and took aim. A companion called to him sharply:
"You"re not going to shoot the bird while it"s walking?"
"No," was the firm response; "I"ll wait till it stops."
SPRING
The teacher talked on the four seasons, telling how in the spring the new life comes to the earth, with the growth of gra.s.ses and leaves and flowers, how this life matures in summer, and so on, and so on. Then she called on the cla.s.s to repeat the information she had given. She asked one little boy about spring.
"What do we find in the spring, George?"
George seemed very reluctant to answer, but when the teacher insisted he at last said:
"Why, ma"am, there"s a frog, an" a lizard, an" a snake, an" a dead cat, but I didn"t put the cat there. It was another boy."
STAMMERING
On the occasion of a most interesting family event, Mr. Peedle, who desired a son, paced the drawing-room in extreme agitation, until at last the doctor appeared in the doorway.
"Oh, oh, tell me," he gasped, "what is it--a boy or a girl?"
"Tr-tr-tr--" the physician began stammeringly.
Peedle paled.
"Triplets! Merciful providence!"
"Qu-qu-qu--" spluttered the doctor.
Peedle paled some more.
"Quadruplets!" he moaned.
"N-n-no!" the physician snapped. "Qu-qu-quite the contrary. Tr-tr-try to take it qu-quietly. It"s a girl."
STYLE
Two old friends met, and immediately found that they were equally devoted to motoring. After a discussion of their various cars, one bethought himself to ask concerning the other"s wife, whom he had never seen. That lady was described by her husband, as follows:
"Nineteen-six model, limousine so to say, heavy tread, runs on low."
"Self-starter?"
"You bet!"
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The young lady worker for the Sunday school called on the newly wedded pair.
"I am endeavoring to secure new scholars," she explained. "Won"t you send your children?"
When she was informed that there were no children in the family as yet, she continued brightly:
"But won"t you please send them when you do have them?"
The Sunday-school teacher examined his new cla.s.s.
"Who made the world?" he demanded. n.o.body seemed to know. He repeated the question somewhat sternly. As the silence persisted, he frowned and spoke with increased severity:
"Children, I must know who made the world!"
Then, at last, a small boy piped up in much agitation: