TAKING HIM TO TASK.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 24, 17 June 1893, Page 576

TAKING HIM TO TASK.

Young Mr Snickers had long loved Miss Gilgal, and one evening he succeeded in mustering enough courage to ask her to marry him. * Before I give you an answer, Mr Snickers,’ she replied, • I want to ask you a few questions.’ ‘ Ask one.’ * You write a great many jokes ?’ ‘ I plead guilty.’ * You have often written jokes in which mothers-in-law were held up to ridicule’’ ‘ I have used that subject once or twice.’ ‘You have also written jokes which turn on the general unhappiness of married life, and imply a wish on the part of married men that they had never married’’ ‘ Possibly I have, Miss Gilgal !’ ‘ Possibly ? You mean positively, don’t you ?’

• Yes.’ • Well, then, Mr Snickers, how do you have the effrontery to ask me—or any girl—to marry you after maligning marriage and mothers-in-law ? If you think I would, you are very much mistaken.’ • Why, my dear girl, when I wrote those things I was only joking !’ the young man declared. • Were you ?’ replied the maiden gle-fully. ‘ Then I was only joking when I said I wouldn’t marry you.’ Engagement announced next day.

TEACHER : • How much do eight and four make?’ Scholar : ‘ Nine !’ Teacher : ‘Try again.’ Scholar: ‘ Ten, eleven—thirteen.’ Teacher : ‘ How above twelve ?’ Scholar (decisively): * That’s where you're wrong. Six and six is twelve I' (Left explaining.)