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Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1932, Page 21 (Supplement)

“Here’s a funny thing,” said Gwen one day, as she lay comfortably on the gofa reading a book. “It talks in this tale of some boys playing tip-cat. Now what is a tip-cat? My family have been cats ever since I can remember, yet I’ve sever heard of a tip-cat.” “A tip-cat,” said Richard. “I seem to have heard of it. Let me see!”

For once Richard had to admit that he did not know everything, as he could not tell Gwen what a tip-cat was. “Anyway,” he said, “we’ll soon find out in the encyclopaedia.” “Why,” he cried, when he had turned it up in the book, “of course I remember! It’s a piece of sharpened wood, and you play a game with it.” "You didn’t know until you had looked it up,” giggled Polly.

I think Richard must have seen a tip-cat at some time or other, because he promised Gwen that he would soon make one, and show her how the game was played. And sure enough he did. . “There!” he said, when it was finished. “What do you think of that?” “Very clever,” Polly chuckled. “It’s a funny looking thing,” said Gwen. “Now show us how the game is played.”

Of course Richard was only too delighted to show , the others how the game of tip-cat was played. “It is quite simple,” he said. “You place the tip-cat on the ground like this, then you take a stick and stand like this.” ‘ “Go qp,” cried Gwen. “Don’t talk so much! I’m awfully interested in any game about cats.” ~ _____

"You stand like this,” continued Richard, standing over the tip-cat, "and then you give the cat a smart tap on the pointed end, and up it jumps in the “And then,” Richard went on, “you swing the stick-round and hit the cat for all you are worth.” With that he gave a mighty whack.

Not only did Richard manage to hit the flying cat, but he also hit poor Gwen smack upon the nose with it! Perhaps it was her fault because she'was so interested and . got too close. Anyway, she was very offended, and. she refused to see the joke when Polly said Richard had managed to hit two cats at once! However, she brightened up eventually, joined in the new game, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The teacher had. occasion to reprove ft little boyin her class for talking during lessons. “Willie Jones,” she cried, “sit down in front.” ■ “I’m sorry, teacher,” he replied, “I’m not made that way.” • ' • • • Magistrate: “What did you do when you heard the prisoner using such awful language?” Policeman; “I told him he wasn’t fit to be among decent people, and brought him here.” * ♦ « 1 p* Bill: “I, .did not marry beauty,. my boy; 1 did not marry wealth or position. I married for sympathy.” . , Harry: “Well, you have mine.” * * # ♦ Comic Artist: “This joke ought to be good. I’ve had it in my head for 10 years.” Heartless Editor: “Sort of aged in the wood, as it were.” • e 9 “My husband declares he married for beauty and brains.” - ‘'Oh, who. was his first wife?” * ■' * * • “Didn’t the. burglar wake you up?” “No, he took things very quietly.”

X: “How did your garden do this year "l” Y: “Great! My neighbour’s chickens took first prize at the show.” • • • • She: “Have you ever had a lesson by correspondence?” He:. “Yes! I never write to girls any more.” • # * • Cdoney: “Smoking is a costly habit. When a man gives cigars to his friends all the year, look what he loses!” Mooney: “Yes, mostly—friends!” #.# * # Diner (who has sent for the manager) : “Look here, sir, I have a very serious complaint.” . . Manager: “Pardon me, sir, this is a restaurant, not a hospital!” ♦ * * • Bert: “I love her, although she isn’t pretty. She has that indefinable something.” Bill: "Oh, I know! My girls dads rich, too.” » • • • Waiter: “There is almost everything on the menu to-day, sir.” Crabby Customer: So I see. Bring me a clean one so that I can read it.”