--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 10 number: 12 published: 1907-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "In Lighter Mood," *Improvement Era* 10, no. 12 (October 1907): 997–999.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera10012unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera10012unse start_page: 997 end_page: 999 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1907-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera10012unse publication_year: 1907 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1907, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # In Lighter Mood IN LIGHTER MOOD. It is the practice in the public schools of Washington to observe Flag day each year by holding exercises calculated to strengthen the patriotism of the pupils. On one occasion one of the teachers, thoroughly awake to the importance of patriotic precept, observed what he thought a lack of enthusiasm in one of the lads under his instruction. "Now, Tommy," said he, "tell us what you think if you saw the Stars and Striped waving over the field of battle." "I should think," was the logical reply of Thomas, "that the wind was blow- ing." Harper'' s Weekly. The "nature fakir" stories in the newspapers had been read by two Wash- ington negroes, and they were heard discussing the intelligence Jof birds in general "Birds is shore sensible," observed one darky to the other. "Yo' kin learn them anything. I uster work for a lady that had one in a clock, an' vvhen it was time to tell the time it uster come out an' say cuckoo just as many times as da time was!" "Yo' doan say so?" asked the other negro, incredulously. "Shore thing!" responded the first darky. "But demos* wonderful part was dat it was only a wooden bird, too!" "I am ashamed of this composition, Charley," said a teacher in one of the local schools this morning. "I shall send for your motherland show her how bad you are doing." "Send for her— I don't care," said Charley. "Me mudder Vrote it, any- way." N. Y Sun. An anxious minister, in one of the Salt Lake City wards, had several times visited an old character who was known as a hard citizen, but who withal had some good qualities and was therefore being taken care of by the ward. One day the minister met a boy who had been living in the same house with the citizen. "Where is P. gone, my boy?" said the minister. "Don't know; but he^died long time ago," answered the boy with a grin. Once more poor woman is laughed at for her lack of banking "knowledge. There is no denying it, however; she is funny when she gets tangled up in the paraphernalia of finance. The Denver Pod tells this tale: The Denver National Bank, not long ago received the following letter from a lady well known in social circles. * 'Gentlemen: Please stop payment on the check I wrote out today, as I acci- entally burned it up. Yours, Mrs. Blank. —— — 998 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The young man stooped, picked up a coin from the floor of the street car, examined it attentively, and then, "Has anybody lost a five-dollar gold piece?" he called in a loud voice. Instantly the solemn man at the other end of the car strode forward. "Yes, I've lost a five-dollar gold piece," he said eagerly, holding out his hand. "Well," said the young man, giving him the coin. I am sorry for you. Here's five cents towards making good your loss." Woman's Home Companion. It was the social duty of John Drew, the actor, not long ago to escort a young French actress of great personal charm, on her first visit to New York to , a roof garden. The orchestra was playing a very melodious air as they entered, and after being seated the actress asked Mr. Drew the name of the selection. "I Love You, I Love You," replied Mr. Drew. "Yes, yes, I know," re- turned the French girl with an appreciative glance of coquetry, "but ze tune zat zey play, Mistaire Drew, vat ees de name of eet?" Ladies' Home Journal. A Chicago man, while traveling in the Southwest, chanced not long ago to put up at a "hotel" where a number of state senators were stopping, on their way to the capital. At the table their conversation soon revealed to the other guests that they were newly elected "Solons," full of the dignity of their new honors, and anxious to impress everybody accordingly. These men caused the Chicago man to feel no little fatigue. It was, "Wil the gentleman from Dodgeville have the butter?" and, "Will the gentleman from Centertown pass the bread?" and, "Does the gentleman from Jungtown Junction care for the pickles?" etc., etc., ad nauseum. Even the natives were beginning to squirm under these oflicial formalities, when the Chicago man turned to the negro waiter, and asked, in his best man- ner, "And now will the gentleman from Ethiopia bring me another cup of coffee?" Sentimental Bridegroom — Why is my darling so pensive? Is she planning some love-inspired project for our mutual happiness? Practical Bride — Yes, dearest, I was wondering whether we'd better send the washing out or have a woman come in once aweekl —Brooklyn Life. There is a certain stately spinster of Richmond who has lived alone for many years in a handsome mansion that is one of the city's sights. No childish fingers have ever marred the brilliance of her mirrors and played havoc with the fine bronzes and vases in the daintily cared for dining room. On one occasion the spinster had as guest a niece, aged seven, in whose home, where many children romped from morning till night, the same exquisite perfection of housekeeping was, of course, impossible. When the little girl re- turned home she hastened to tell her mother of the wonders of the house wherein she was a guest, incidentally enlarging upon the delights of the "tea-parties" there. "Mama," she said, in an awed tone, "I saw a fly in Aunt Sarah's house. But," she added, thoughtfully, "it was washing itself." Harper's Weekly. : OUR WORK. THE SPIRIT OF OUR MANUAL. At the head of every Manual lesson this season is a sentiment bearing on the lesson, which each student will do well to learn by heart. On the title leaf is a scriptural quotation which is a suitable motto for every association class-room. Let frequent attention be called to it, for it conveys the spirit of the Manual, and is the slogan of our work for the season Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me ivith thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. — Psalms 51: 10-13. MANUALS FOR 1907-8. The Junior Manual, Acts of the Apostles, for study in the junior classes of the Y. M. M, L A. for this season is now ready for distribution, and officers will kindly send in their orders promptly, so that the distribution may take place before the opening of the associations, the first week after the general Chuixh conference in Uctcber. The Senior Manual, Spiritual Growth, consists of twenty lessons, in practi- cal religion. Orders for this as well as the Junior Manual will be filled on the same day received, and we trust that the officers will use diligent effort to have the Manuals distributed to the associations, before the opening night of their meetings. Send all orders for Manuals to General Secretary Alpha J. Higgs, 214