Teacher. "Name one."
Willie. "An elephant."
Teacher. "Are there any feathered quadrupeds?"
Willie. "Yes, ma'am."
Teacher. "What?"
Willie. "A feather-bed, ma'am."
A "PUPIL OF THE CELEBRATED MASCAGNI."
Almost every boy and girl has heard of Pietro Mascagni, the composer of Cavalleria Rusticana, made so famous in the world through its beautiful intermezzo, and also through having the good fortune to be sung by some of the most brilliant artists of the nineteenth century. One day, when sitting in his study, an organ-grinder stopped below his window, and began grinding out the intermezzo from the Cavalleria so rapidly that it could hardly be told from a jig. Mascagni jumped up in a rage, and, rushing out, seized the handle of the organ, and played it slowly, as it should be, explaining meanwhile that he was the author, etc. This somewhat appeased the wrath of the organ-grinder, and before Mascagni had finished, a broad smile illuminated his face. Shortly afterwards Mascagni and some friends had the pleasure of passing the same organ-grinder, and thereupon his organ was a large sign that read: "Pupil of the Celebrated Mascagni."