CORTOP'S CONUNDRUM.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1526, 9 April 1886, Page 3

CORTOP'S CONUNDRUM.

Ooe nis?bt Cortop via nther wake ful, *nd as he toswd restlessly he compoaed a conundrum. Then he compoaed himself to deep. The riddle was his first; and he felt portionately proud of it Next morning, on his journey to town, he ehanoed upon Rawlmgs, who ill fltaidf plodding, taftaoM-lib

man, just the sort of follow one might expect to be dazzled by a coruscation of wit.

So Cnriop thought; and he determined to spring that riddle on his sober friend.

" Bawlings, old boy, n he said, with a smile of conscious superiority, "here's a riddle I made myself, simple as anything, but ril bet you'll never guess it. Why is a strong tooth like a weak old man P Not bad is it, ? " It was bad enough for Bawlings, however. He looked mighty sour over it, aud growled discontentedly. " Give it up," said he; " Never guessed a riddle in my life, and don't intend to."

" Because," answered Cortop, triumphantly, " because—because " Why, what was this? Surely he hadn't forgotten the answer to the conundrum —his own conundrum too ? Nevertheless he had done so.

It was very distressing that he couldn't recollect it—very. In his stolid way Biwlings was getting im patient. " Because what, sir ? " grumbled he. Cortop felt it waj no use whatever racking his brain any furthur at (recent; but he wasn't going to acknowledge his ignorance. "He! he ! he!" he chuckled, feebly. " Why, you see, the—the—thore isn't any answer. Iffe a sell!" Bawlings wat angry ; and he tooked it.

" I don't envy the intellect of the ; m n who can think that sort of foolery 1 funny," he said, testily. " And I wish you good morning, Mr. Cortop." I All that day his riddle haunted : Cortop. He felt that he must recollect : that answer or perish ; and when in the evening he dropped in on the Mardock*, he was still wrestling with himself for the forgotten solution.

There had been an addition to thf Murdock family since Cortop visited them last; and the new-comer wis produced for his inspection. Bed as a rose it was, and it smiled spasmodically with the air of one who is not thoroughly accustomed to its mouth.

" How like its father !" said Cortop, conventionally, as he planted a cautious forefinger in the centre of one of the infant's cheeks.

" Do you think so, indeed?" asked Mrs. Murdock.

M Oh, yes!" ia ; d Cortop, absently. He was after the answer again, and bin eye* were fiiL'd on vacancy. But Mrs Murdock wasn't to be put off in this way. Maternal curiosity wanted particulars. " Vou surely do notsee any likeness in the nose ? Every one says that is hid mother's featu r e. And then hie eyes Come now, why do you think my pet is like its father ? " At this moment Cortop's whole countenance became glo-ified. He hnd irot a tight Riip on his answer at last. Exultiuely burst out:

" Because it's isfirm !" (iu firm)

And row Cortop is a stranger to the bouse of Murdock. Nor is this marvellous. When we consider tha> the estimable gentleman who is its head has a club-foot and a partially paralysed arm. perhaps the answer to Cortop'.. conundrum wa* a littleout of place aud dui appear slightly personal.