[Would be a good answer to one who gave a compliment, and tried in that way to shove off a speech or other duty upon the one complimented.]
McSwatters—"It's very funny."
Mrs. McSwatters—"What is?"
McSwatters—"Why, when the doctor treats me I always have to pay for it."
7. GOOSE-CHASE
[Would come in well after several had declined to speak, the goose being the one who finally consents and tells the story.]
A lady had been looking for a friend for a long time without success. Finally, she came upon her in an unexpected way. "Well," she exclaimed, "I've been on a perfect wild-goose chase all day long, but, thank goodness, I've found you at last."
8. THE PERPLEXED SAGE
[To show that the chairman may safely confide in his own power to manage such poor material as the person who tells the story assumes himself to be.]
"And now what is it?" asked the sage, as the young man timidly approached. "Pray, tell me," asked the youth, "does a woman marry a man because of her confidence in the man, or because of her confidence in her ability to manage him?" For once the sage had to take the question under advisement.