Oddball Anecdotes and Wit from Far Off Lands
A long, humorous column compiles brief anecdotes: an Englishman misreads a foul ball as a mule in Osceola Nebraska. a Paris caricature mocks turbans and unveiled wives. Oklahoma ministering to a groaning grocer couple jokes about better or worse. Roger Minot Sherman’s hair length test ends in a laugh. A Sargent portrait tale, a diamond wart joke, and an astronomer’s star eke out laughs. The Vienna to St Petersburg journey yields a mind reader joke with a Polish Jew paying fifty roubles to prove a trick.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Beggs
Oklahoma
Roger Minot Sherman
Mr. Sherman
Vienna
St. Petersburg
Cumberland
Nishni-Novgorod
Old Days Muffins Then and Now Joke Recipe
A judge recalls a newly married couple arguing over muffins. The wife serves hot rolls and reveals she used oleomargarine, cold storage eggs, alum in flour, and chalk with water in milk to imitate her mother in law's baking. The quip ends with a jab at old food laws.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Judge
Great Britain and U.S. Trade Dominance Noted in 1905
The Department of Commerce figures show U S trade with the United Kingdom in fiscal year 1905 amounted to about 700 million dollars, more than a quarter of total U S external trade. The note recalls historical warnings about Britain as a key partner and potential risk.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thomas Jefferson
James Monroe
Great Britain
Department of Commerce
United Kingdom
Startford Courant
Fame Secure
A Washington Star quote lampoons political rhetoric as Senator Sorghum defends recognition of each speaker as his personal representative. The line recalls George Washington Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, implying enduring memory depends on public oratory.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Abrahem Lincoln
Senator Sorghum
Washington Star
Adored One Echoes Father Daughter Tug of Love
Dramatic exchange centers on a daughter pleading for a favored suitor while the father declares the match unattainable, stating the suitor is nearly “nothing” to him. The line captures a clash of affection and authority in a family scene.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iter
Means of Them Eva and Katherine in a witty exchange
Eva complains she never had a beau while Katherine says her face is her fortune. Eva dismisses fortunes as unclaimed. Durand returns from a night carouse and, hearing the clock strike, mutters about repeating the time in a humorous dialogue from Pele Mele.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Eva
Katherine
Durand
The Law's Formalities Witnesses Testimony
A courtroom exchange shows a judge asking a witness to swear to tell the truth and the witness replying with a cryptic statement Bon Vi yant, indicating silence. The scene highlights legal formalities and a possible evasive response in a case.
Original Penn nickname sparks family joke
The remark references a stubbier figure named Penn, and a playful comparison to a figure called Mother-William Penn. The exchange suggests a casual, humorous recollection about Penn’s size and identity within the group.
Broken Pump Metaphor Sparks Medical Debate
A witty exchange between a druggist and a doctor compares medical practice to drawing from an empty well. The quip highlights the limits of treatment when no effective remedy is available.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. D
Thoughtful Quotes on Life’s Seriousness
A playful exchange features a reflective thinker and a practical speaker debating the gravity of living. The thought fal thinker asserts life’s seriousness, while the matter-of-fact person counters with a balanced stance. The dialogue highlights differing attitudes toward daily existence.
Witty exchange reveals kitchen quip on omelette length
An impatient guest asks how long his omelette will be and the waiter jokes that the average length is about eight inches. The lighthearted exchange captures a playful dining room moment.
Time’s Flight Explored By Fair Maid And Brilliant Youth
A fair maid wonders what causes time to move and a brilliant young man replies that it is urged on by the spur of the moment. The exchange captures a playful dialogue on motion and impulse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fair Maid
Myer Evernote Umbrella Passed Down Legacy
Myer notes a dilapidated umbrella carried by Jones is acknowledged as a shade of Myer’s ancestral relic. The exchange highlights heritage and a shared old object’s significance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Myer
Jones
The Wise Fly Parlor Dilemma
A fable style scene unfolds with a spider inviting the fly into a parlor and the cautious reply of the fly refusing entry to the dining room, signaling a wary boundary in a cautionary tale.
Milkins and Bilkins Clash Over Truthful Talk
A brief skit features Milkins asking if calling someone a liar would hurt feelings and Bilkins replying that it could hurt his knuckles. The exchange centers on insult and reaction with a playful edge.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Milkins
Bilkins
Two men shake hands at end of football game
After the match two men stand by the field shaking hands. A physician and a funeral director are spotted nearby, prompting spectator speculation about their roles and relationship to the players.
Wooden Girl and Tenement Tessie in Folk Verse
The fragment describes a willowy heroine who pines for her lover and brightens when he nears the gate, with a question about Shanty Sue Gee and whether she worked in a sawmill.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tessie
The Difficult Part
The quotation exchange shows a young widow noting it is easy to fool a man but harder to keep him fooled. An anxious maid asks for clarification and the widow emphasizes the challenge of maintaining deception.
Strenuom Job As A Merry Go Round Groom
A quirky tale of Sandy Pikes who claims his season is over as a groom on a merry go round. He explains his job was to shine up the flying horses, which surprises his kind house wife who offers pumpkin pie.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sandy Pikes
Registering the Clerk at the Drug Store
An elderly woman questions a clerk about credentials in a drug store. The clerk confirms he is a registered pharmacist with a diploma and ten years in the business, then she asks for two postage stamps.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ceatious
Dialogue Excerpt Between Wang and Bang on Survival
In a dramatic exchange, Wang recalls being on a raft for three days and nights without food. Bang questions how he endured, and Wang replies he pretended to be at home with no maid and his wife cooking.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wang
Han Its Own Reward
A brief misquoted exchange presents a quip about football and punishment matching the crime. The dialogue features a doctor and a respondent discussing the modern game and its penalties in a concise, wry tone.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Han
The Kindly Old Gentleman and the Little Man Sketch
A brief dialogue shows a kindly old man asking a boy his name. The boy replies he does not know his name and mentions his mother married again yesterday. The exchange carries a gentle humorous tone typical of a short sketch.
An Appreciation of Art Affable Grocer
A Punches style exchange shows a grocer praising art mastery and planning to send his son to evening classes. The speaker recalls training a relative and credits an art master with shaping the lad's precise knife work and eye for detail.
True Sympathy and An Easier Job
A dialogue pairs Yunger and Oldun in a bitter claim of regret over marriage to Oldun's daughter. The second exchange shows Myer preferring preaching over medicine, arguing preaching is easier than practicing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Yunger
Oldun
Myer
Curiosity Gets a Setback in Quirky Exchange
A humorous exchange features a quirky Victorian voice arguing about curiosity and manners. The dialog hints at etiquette and idiosyncratic speech, framing a light social moment with playful misunderstandings and a nod to wit.
Quip Sparks Joking Exchange About Domestic Labor
The snippet features a joke about gender roles with a husband and wife trading barbs. The wife’s husband retorts that she should sometimes stay home to finish tasks, highlighting the era’s domestic labor stereotype through witty dialogue.
The Usual Way and Hix Brown Oddities
A brief aside notes Hix Brown as an oddity and asks for impressions of his character. It mentions a $5 price tag associated with the Dix and frames the scene as a casual commentary.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hix—Brown
Dix
Automobile Runs On Alcohol Clever Excuse In Joke
A man bursts into his lover’s home at night claiming alcohol powers his car. She questions the hour and he quips that his automobile runs on alcohol, not gasoline, turning the interruption into a joke.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gertrude
Haven't Time. First Voyager Sees Seasickness Relief
The exchange jokes about seasickness during a voyage. The first voyager notes one good thing about seasickness and the second asks for the benefit. The first replies that seasickness makes you forget all your other troubles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Voyager
Timed Jests From Wise Father Time At Play
The quip trades witticisms on time and travel. Father Time boasts he would break down on the road if he rode in an automobile while the curious youth notes time flies. The exchange blends humor with a moral about pace and progress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Father
Engagement Revealed Between Tomdix and Mrs Weede
The communication confirms Tomdix and Mrs Weede are engaged surprising friends. It notes the widow status and clarifies the marriage decision came from her.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tomdix
Mrs. Weede
Hair-raising morning remark echoes in local scene
A doctor describes a hair-raising experience this morning while a bald-headed druggist expresses a wish to encounter such a thrill, revealing a lighthearted exchange in the town.
Not Like Other Landladies I’m Telling You
Pat Murphy lodgings annoyed by landlady who steals his butter eggs and more each day with the refrain I’m not like other landladies I’m telling you. One Saturday Pat lowers the bill and leaves.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pat Murphy
Pat
London
Politician Comments Stir Emotions Over Election Time
Citizens react as remarks by Mrs. Mattron Sen Snoddgrass and Mrs. Jelluss draw attention to election season. Critics accuse candidates of exploiting family and public decorum for gain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mattron
Snoddgrass
Jelluss
Penny Promise From Boy Upon Return
A brief exchange from the Houston Post records a child promising good behavior. One asks what he will receive for good conduct while away, the other offers a future reward if behavior is poor upon return.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnny
Houston Post
The Maroon Monster Cartoon Exchange
A comic caption from the Chicago News notes a motorist says he "ran two men up a tree" after a late incident, framed as a humorous exchange about peonies and running up.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago News
Athol Vere family under strain and looming marriage
In Chapter III the Vere family endures pressure as Athol weighs a steady path forward. His mother longs for comfort and a suitable match while Lucilla schemes for security and personal gain. Nightly care for Mrs Vere reveals hidden tensions and loyalty within the household.
Athol's Struggle To Forgive Bills And Move On
Five years after Mrs Vere's death Athol remains in a tight financial bind as he pleads with his sister to curb expenses and avoid debt. He vows to study hard and work diligently while trusting God, but finds his plans hindered by family tensions and unresolved burdens.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Athol
Lucilla
Lucy
Rourke Trenham
Lucilla Vere
Priory
Mamma
Sarah
Howard Gaveston
Rupert
Una
Hampton House
Miss Vere
Mr. Gaveston
Mr. Bartle
Thorne and Vere Face Open Turnpike Road Challenge
A conversation hints at Thorne and Vere advancing through effort and rivalry. Uncle praises Vere as thorough and trustworthy, while Bartle confirms confidence in the clever fellow. The exchange ends with a tease that the scene will continue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thorne
Rourke
Bartle
Judith
Spectral Warnings and the Bloody Mark on Cardan’s Finger
A spectral warning tale links visions to real deaths. Pallet of anecdotes includes John Palmer dying on stage in Liverpool, a London shopkeeper seeing shades, and Cardan seeing a bloody sword mark on his finger with a midnight omen. The chain of omens ties to Milan and Blombey tragedy. notes from Dr. Rudge and St James Gazette.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cardan
John Palmer
Liverpool
London
Milan
Blombey
America
Rudge
Que
St. James
Miner Finds Nugget of Gold in Highland District
John Kern found a gold nugget weighing 60 ounces and 17 pennyweights Troy in a Highland district placer and deposited it at W A Clark & Co Bank in Butte. The nugget, valued at 1186.95 dollars, is considered the largest seen near Butte and was washed from Highland City site last week.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Highland District
John Kern
W. A. Clark & Co
Butte
Troy
Kern
Highland City
Ffteen
Old Highland District
Clark Bank
A Watch Tip from a Detective
The New Orleans Times-Democrat recounts a detective’s tip on securing a costly watch. He advises keeping the watch in the right hand vest pocket with the chain running into both pockets to prevent theft, noting thieves target the left pocket for a key or cheap compass.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Women Gondoliers Challenge Venice Traditions
In Venice, many women take up gondolier roles challenging established male norms as men organize resistance to the change.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Venice
Fire destroys Ver ona Capulets house tour site
A tourist site linked to the Capulets in Verona is destroyed by fire. The article also notes British National Gallery color repro prints, forthcoming American studies by Josiah Royce, and a Monseigneur Barnes book tying The Iron Mask to a new interpretation. It details Dickens Broadstairs house memorial ideas, Maude Radford Warren’s political satire novel, and remarks on reformers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Verona
Juliet
British National Gallery
Josiah Royce
Harvard
Monsignor Barnes
Broadstairs
Dickens
David Copperfield
Bleak House
Land of the Living
Harper List
Maude Radford Warren
Alexander Mann a Boxer Pastor at Phillips Brooks Church
Dr. Alexander Mann, newly accepted pastor of Phillips Brooks Church in Boston, is brother of Bishop Cameron Mann. The Kansas City Star notes Mann once boxed with railroad workers in New York and once challenged a rough adversary who later began attending church after Mann won a boxing match.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Phillips Brooks
Boston
Alexander Mann
Cameron Mann
Grace Church
Kansas City Star
Mann
New York
10Th and
Central Streets
Dr. Mann
The Best Of Us Talk Too Much Compliment
A witty exchange from the Cleveland Plain Dealer features two speakers noting a humorous remark about overtalking. The line turns a compliment into playful banter as one character teases another about reading a roundabout compliment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Elevator Clerk Sparks Humble Ambition Tale
A Detroit News Tribune snippet features a young college man who reveals he now runs an elevator in a department store. The exchange implies a humorous uplift about finding the right place and pursuing ambition in an urban setting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Detroit News Tribune
How the Cook Declines Joke Exchange
A quip from the Baltimore American mocks blunt honesty in friend conversations. A man asks for candor and receives a sharp answer about the cook wasting away, followed by a wry remark on reactions to blunt honesty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore
Also Mentioned on This Page
Douglas
Ibola
Nebraska
Sargent
Earth
Uncle Sam
William Penn
Tommy
Stub Penn
Fair
Y. W
Sie Transit
de Poipers Terday
Mie
Hojax
the Maroon Monster
By Mar
Y Cecil Hay
Robert
Kumley
Mother
Digby Searle
Horton Newley
Hohve
Una Gaveston
Mrs. Vere
Everybody's Magazine
Auerbach
John Jasper
Richmond
Revell Company
James Hastings
Charles Scribner’s Sons
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