PUNGENT JOKING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 187, 7 September 1871, Page 3

PUNGENT JOKING.

Some years ago a gentleman living in one of the frontier Jtowns of a far Western State had some friends staying with him, to whom he gave a little dinner — the best the place could furnish. — and invited to meet them a few halfcivilisedlndians. Of course the "noble red men " were treated to delicacies they had not seen before, and displayed a perhaps excusable inclination to "go through " the bill of fare. A young chief who had partaken of nearly everything on the table, had been eyeing the mustard for some time, no doubt thinking that such a pretty paste would taste as good as it looked. At length, opportunity appearing, he reached forth, in a dignafied manner, took a liberal spoonful, and swallowed it Avithout moving a muscle of his countenace, but in spite of his utmost exertions, the tears soon streamed down his cheeks. An aged chief opposite him, who had been watching the whole proceeding, leaned forward and inquired what he was crying for. He replied, " I was thinking of my poor old father, who died a shoxi; time ago." Soon afterwards the " aged " being unable 'to restrain' his curiosity, also solemnly took a dip from the raus- ' tard-pot, and! swallowed it without the Quivering- of a muscle j'buthisoyes were not as strong 'as- his will, and the little tears soph trickled down his cheeks. It w:«s_now the young red man's turn. Leaning forward lie enquired the cause of the grief, to which the elderly red party replied, " I was thinking 'twas a pity you hadn't died when poor old father did."—" Monthly."