The American Joe Miller: A Collection of Yankee Wit and Humor
John Stuart Mill · en
A Western editor, in reply to a contemporary, says to him, "The fact
is as evident as the nose on your face, or the whisky blossoms on the
countenance of your Mayor."
ONE OF THE PRESS.--322.
A very fat man having taken his seat in an omnibus already crowded, to
the great annoyance of the passengers, several, with partial breathing
and muttering lips, inquired who such a lump of flesh as the new comer
could be. "I don't know," said a wag, "but, judging from the effect he
produces, I should suppose him a member of the Press."
ANOTHER BURST OF ELOQUENCE.--323.
In a stump speech somewhere out West--the usual locality--a windy
orator recently got up before an assemblage of his intelligent
countrymen, and said: "Sir, after much reflection, consideration, and
examination, I have calmly, deliberately, and carefully come to the
determined conclusion, that in cities where the population is very
large there are a greater number of men, women, and children, than in
cities where the population is less. And I firmly believe there is not
a man, woman, or child in all this vast assembly that has reached the
age of fifty or upwards but has felt this mighty truth rolling through
his breast for centuries."
THE REASON WHY.--324.
An American wag says that the reason why more marriages take place in
winter than in summer is because the gentlemen require comforters and
the ladies muffs.
THE CLERGYMAN AND THE LAWYER.--325.
The following incident is of recent date, and the witness was a
clergyman. Scene, a crowded court: trial, an action on the warranty of
a horse, commonly called a horse cause. Witness, a clergyman, who was
sworn in his examination-in-chief that in his opinion the horse was
sound.--Counsel: Well, you don't know anything about horses. You're a
parson, you know.--Witness: I have a good deal of knowledge respecting
horses.--Counsel: You think you have, I dare say, but we may think
otherwise. I wonder, now, whether you know the difference between a
horse and a cow.--Witness: Yes, I dare say I do.--Counsel: Now, then,
tell the jury the difference between a horse and a cow.--Witness:
Gentlemen, one great difference between these two animals is, that
the one has horns and the other has not; much the same difference,
gentlemen, that exists between a _bull_ and a _bully_ (turning to
counsel). (Roars of laughter, Judge joining.)--Counsel (very angrily):
I dare say you thought that very funny, sir?--Witness: Well, I don't
think it was bad, and several of the audience seem to be of the same
opinion.
EDITORIAL FIX.--326.
A Western editor must be in a bad fix. Having dunned a subscriber for
his subscription, he not only refused to pay, but threatened to flog
the editor if he stopped the paper.
A MEAT BABY.--327.