NOTHING SERIOUS.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 14555, 24 June 1913, Page 8

NOTHING SERIOUS.

They bad' been nutrried only two weeks, and were gfliftC to. spend the evening with friends. They were to meet friends of their friends there. It was expected that th?re would necessarily, be a show of dignity when the bridegroom and bride arii cd. A bride always makes dignity essential^

It happened that the 1 rid^room trasi the particular friencl ol" the iiost. Theulatter had never met t'.i* "r'.le. fiiie: was coming into an en..::, nrv •circle. It was expected thr.t wheti the Newlyweds arrived that Mr. Newlywed would stammer and blush when he introduced Mrs. Newly wed as his wife. Not bo for. this boy. He sauntered in preceded by the dignified bride. Everybody in the parlour bristled up. But it wasn't to be a bristling affair after all. Mr. Newlywed simply swept around*, caught the host by the arm, and led him before the bride.

"'Dave, meet the old lady," he ;| said. ■ • 1

Dignity exit; Everybody laughed and got acquainted in a hurry. The . good-natured introduction of the host ; to the bride loosened up the strings of social stress. "The old lady" found herself among friends.

A certain young and profligate astrap (Persian governor), exhausted alike in body and mind, sent for a famous physician, and said :— "I have squandered my youth in riotous living. My frame is enfeebled like an old man's, and my mind is disordered with remorse and horror. Can you help me V*

' The physician, looking gravely at the pale astrap, answered :—

"You have but one hope. Go forth and find, if there be such, a perfectly contented man. Persuade this man to exchange shirta with you, and you will straightway be strong and happy again."

The astrap set out upon his search. He travelled manyi months in vain ; but at last he heard of a cobbler who was said to be absolutely contented.

The astrap came at last to the cobbler's door. The house was but a hovel, and on & board before it the cobbler lay asleep. Awaking him, the astrap asked if it were true that he was quite contented, and the cobbler, with a laugh, declared that it was.

"Then," said the astrap, "I have -a boon to ask at your hands. It is that you will exchange shirts with me. For thus a wise physician has said I may become strong and contented also."

But the cobbler shook his head. "Most cheerfully would I grant your request, young man," he began, "but—" -V

"Nay, nay, deny me not," the as-, trap cried. "I will pay you any sum that you may name."

"I seek' not your gold, youth," said, the cobbler, "but—but -" "But what?" r •; "The.truth, is, I have no shirt !"

A. brave man must expect to be tossed, for he is to steer his course in the teeth of fortune, and to work against wind and .weather. .

A hundred-pounds'of raw beef will lose 33ibs. .in. roasting and 261bs. in boiling.