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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5378, 22 June 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

AJokk.— When lie entered the office Lis checks were bulged nut like a harvest moon. He was struggling to confine a great head of laughter within him, and the eftort threatened to burst him like a bombshell. “Ob, great guns alive I ho, ho, whoop-ee!” he roared, siding up to whore the religious editor sat. “ I’ve got the dumdest best thing for you this time you ever dreamt of," and he laughed again until the tears rolled oif his cheeks and dashed their brains out on the floor. “ You see,” ho went on, catching hold of the religious editor’s chair to anchor himself down. “ you sea, putty is the latest color for kid gloves.” (Laughter.) *' Well, just credit that line to a fashion jour and then quote, ‘ Tis true, r tis putty ; and putty ‘tis ’tis true/ ” and ho doubled up like a strap-hinge, and held his sides ami , laughed even while he was being kicked down the back stairs. “Sayincs grace,” although usually done with brevity, Is said with infinite variety of phraseology, and anecdotes thereof are numberless. The last of which we have hoard was by the late Mr- Compton, the comedian. Uo had been to a part in the country, Next day, on Ins way home, he stopped at a village inn and oidercd dinner. He wore a long black coat over a dress suit, and bad a white necktie. The landlord mistook him for a clergyman. “There is a meeting of clergy here to-day, air, and they are about to dine. I’m sure the dean would bo glad to have you join them.’" “ Thank you,” said Compton, who waa very hungry; “I shall be glad.'' “I will take iu your card,” said the landlord “(Lave no card,” replied Compton ; “ you van say ‘ Rvv, Mr. Payne, who is passing through the town.'” The dean said they would be glad to give a strange brother a seat at the table.” “Theltev. Mr. Payne” appeared, and the dean with courtesy placed him at his right hand and asked him to say grace. Compton felt .a cold thrill run through him. but with perfect presence of mind recalled the opening portion of the Church service, and hit upon the very words (or his purpose. In his rich, melodious voice he said, “OLord, open Thou our Ups, aud out mouths shall show forth Thy praise.”