In Lighter Mood

LIGHTER MOOD. Uncle Jerry was looking over the list of ' 'amended spellings" recommended' by the reformers. "Good land!" he exclaimed. "I don't see nothing strange^in them words. That is the way I've alius spelled 'em."—Chicago Tribune. A man from the North who recently visited Washington became possessed of the desirelto visit Mount Vernon. Boarding the electric train that runs from the capital to the home of Washington, via Alexandria, the visitor had comfortably ensconced himself in one of the rear seats of a compartment, when the conductor tapped him'on the shoulder, saying, "Excuse me, but this compartment is for colored men.'' This was the Northerner's first experience in a "Jim Crow" car. "Why," said he, surprised, ' 'the seats forward are all occupied.'' "Can't help that, sir," was the reply; "you mustn't sit here." The Northerner smiled. "See here, conductor," said he, "I'm from the North, and haven't the prejudice of you people in the South. I don't mind sitting here with'a negro.'' "Maybe you don't," replied the conductor, "but the nigger might object." —Harper's Weekly A party of men, among whom was William J. Bryan, were one night waiting for a train in a depot hotel in a small Missouri town. The landlady was the only woman present, says Lippincott's Magazine, which relates the story. ' 'The talk turning upon the alleged inability of women to see the point of a joke as readily as do the men, Mr. Bryan took the ground that a sense of humor was as much a part of the feminine make-up as it was that of man, but that it merely lacked opportunity for development. '' 'To illustrate,' he said, take the story of the party of excursionists in the ^gean sea. When approaching the Grecian coast the party assembled about the rails to enjoy the beautiful scenery. One lady turned inquiringly to a gentleman at her right and said: " 'What is that white off there on the horizon?' '' 'That is the snow on the mountains,' replied the gentleman addressed. " 'Well, that's funny,' she replied. 'My husband said it was grease.' "All the men in the group laughed noisily at Mr. Bryan's story, but the landlady looked puzzled. Finally she said: " 'But, Mr. Bryan, how did the grease get on the mountain?' "Mr. Bryan at once dropped the defense of women as born humorists."