In Lighter Mood

IN LIGHTER MOOD. One of the principal Chinese temples boasts of an idol which is said to strike dead every liar appearing before it. Its visits from native officials are, no doubt, like the visits of angels to earth, few and far between, remarks the Denver Post. The following conversation develops a new domestic incumbrance: Census enumerator: "Do you own your home?" Lady of the house: "Yes, sir," Census enumerator: "Is there any incumbrance on it?" Lady: "None— excepting my husband." * * * Teacher (to new pupil): "What is your last name, my little man?" New Pupil: "Tommy." "What is your full name?" "Tommy Tomkins." "Then Tomkins is your last name." "No, it isn't. When I was born my name was Tomkins, and they didn't give me the other one for a month afterward." * * * A card-sharper who had evidently been doing the races joined a small group of farm servants in a public-house. Failing to interest the company in the mysteries of three-card monte, he exclaimed in desperation: "Well, look here, gents; I'll bet any one of you five shillings I can cut the ace of spades, any of you to shuffle and arrange a deck of cards as you like," at the same time producing the pack, which he pushed toward a colored victim, who agreed to accept the wager, took up the pack, shuffled them, and then placed them on the table. The sharper then took his knife and cut his pack clean through, at the same time saying: "There! I've cut the ace." "Naw you hain't neither," quietly said the darkey, grinning. "The ace o' spades is up my sleeve — see?"