She had sev"n.
--_Alice Crowell Hoffman_.
Tom, the country six-year-old, presenting himself one day in even more than his usual state of dust and disorder, was asked by his mother if he would not like to be a little city boy, and always be nice and clean in white suits and shoes and stockings. Tom answered scornfully: "They"re not children; they"re pets."
_Up-to-date_
KIND STRANGER--"How old is your baby brother, little girl?"
LITTLE GIRL--"He"s a this year"s model."
The lawyer was sitting at his desk absorbed in the preparation of a brief. So intent was he on his work that he did not hear the door as it was pushed gently open, nor see the curly head that was thrust into his office. A little sob attracted his notice, and turning, he saw a face that was streaked with tears and told plainly that feelings had been hurt.
"Well, my little man, did you want to see me?"
"Are you a lawyer?"
"Yes. What do you want?"
"I want"--and there was a resolute ring in his voice--"I want a divorce from my papa and mamma."
"Well," mused six-year-old Harry, as he was being b.u.t.toned into a clean white suit, "this has been an exciting week, hasn"t it, mother?
Monday we went to the Zoo, Wednesday I lost a tooth, Thursday was Lily"s birthday party, Friday I was sick, yesterday I had my hair cut, and now here I am rushing off to Sunday-school."
A little saying from a seven-year-old girl.
NEIGHBOR--"How is your mother this morning?"
LITTLE GIRL--"My mother is at the hospital."
NEIGHBOR--"Why! I did not know your mother was ill."
LITTLE GIRL--"No, it is my aunt who is ill."
NEIGHBOR--"What is the matter with your aunt?"
LITTLE GIRL--"She has a bad headache."
NEIGHBOR--"Why! I did not know any one went to the hospital for a bad headache!"
LITTLE GIRL (looking up quickly with a very interested, bright look on her face)--"That is not the real reason, I think; they are spelling things on me."
A little boy of seven was being scolded in a room adjoining one in which his grandma lay ill. He motioned toward grandma"s room and quietly said, "Sh--! it"s too much for her; it"ll wear her out."
Later, grandma thanked him for his consideration, whereupon he replied, "Don"t mention it, gran; that was fifty-fifty--part for you and part for me."
George was hampered by a mother whose idea of G.o.dliness was cleanliness. Notwithstanding the frequent baths to which he was condemned George thrived exceedingly. One day a neighbor remarked on his rapid growth.
"Yes," said George, "that"s ma"s fault--she waters me so much."
_See also_ Boys.
CHOICES
The Czar was recently complimenting a soldier, and asked him if he would rather have 100 rubles or the Iron Cross.
"Would your Majesty deign to tell me the value of the cross?" inquired the private.
"Oh, it is not worth much intrinsically, perhaps two rubles."
"Then, your Majesty, I will take the cross and ninety-eight rubles."
This is an interesting episode, and the most interesting thing about it is that it also happened during the Franco-Prussian War, the Crimean War, the Seven Years" War, and the Marlborough campaigns.
_Eyeball or Highball_
An old Scotsman was threatened with blindness if he did not give up drinking.
"Now, McTavish," said the doctor, "it"s like this: You"ve either to stop the whisky or lose your eyesight, and you must choose."
"Ay, weel, doctor," said McTavish, "I"m an auld man noo, an" I was thinkin" I ha"e seen about everything worth seein"."
OFFICER-"Hang it! you"ve brought the wrong boots. Can"t you see one is black and the other brown?"
BATMAN-"Sure, but the other pair is just the same."
"Let me see! How does that old saying go: "Of two evils always choose--?"
"Always choose the one you haven"t indulged in before."