THE FIFTEEN MANIA; OR MADNESS MADE EASY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3835, 13 April 1881, Page 1

THE FIFTEEN MANIA; OR MADNESS MADE EASY.

5.30 p.m.--" You see, my dear," said Brown to his wife on his return from the city. "I have bought you one of these American Fifteen pussies. A childish thing, simplicity itself. Ybu see its done this way—No —That's not right—Wait a bit." vi?

5.45 p.m.—" Now I've got it. Yes. Nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen-I—con-found it—thirteen, fifteen, fourteen. I'll soon put that straight."

6.0. p.m.—"Oh, don't bother. Nine, eleven, ten, twelve dowar«eight right, three up—Oh, be quiet—can't you see I'm busy." . ;"^ —-6^30-p.mi-— "JH&jig dinner-!—-~E^ep it back a minute till I've finished this 1 confounded thing—l see it now—you've got to reduce it to a principle."

6.45 p.m.—" Well, then, let it_get cold^ —go and eat it by yourself. I'm not going to be beaten by a silly child's toy like this."

7.0 pm. - It's one of those horrid Yankee swindles. It can't be done— Bless it—Eat P—No—bring me some brandy and water. There ! No it isn't— Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen."

7.30 p.m.—" Of all the infernal foolish things I ever saw—cau't you keep quiet, yon children !—how can I think with you making that uproar—eleven, twelve, thirteen—Hurrah !—Oh, hang it!— fifteen and fourteen again. Send those brats to bed."

8.0 p.m.—"You have only got to find out the scheme of the thing. Hold on— I see it now—do it backwards. Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen—that's all right; twelve, eleven, ten, nine," eight—-what an ass I was not to think of that before— seven, six, five, four—it's mere child's play—eh?—Oh, ah—Confound it—two, one, three." -

9.0 p.m.—" Hang it all, Mrs. 8., can't you leave me alqne ? Isn't it enough to. have this confounded thing to plague me without you bothering P There's precious deal more in it thau you suppose. It

wants a sharp mathematical head I can tell you. Bring me some more brandy and water."

10.0 p.m.—"Dash it! Fourteen, thirteen, fifteen."

10.30 p.m.—"Blow it! Fifteen, thirteen, fourteen."

10.45 p.m.—"Hang it! thirteen, fifteen, fourteen."

11.0 p.m.—" — ta **#*. 11 4j.j» 11.30 p.nr-"Let you try I—There isn't a woman in England that could master the -confounded thing— What's - ■ the good of your trying—The only way's . to work it out by algebra—lt's not worth: the trouble. It's the most idiotic, babyish, infernal humbug that ever was invented. Its one of those beastly American imposition—it's—Ha—Wait a bit!-—Now I hare got it—Dash it all— Fourteen, thirteen, .fifteen again. You try-."-11.35 p m.—" What!! Done it!! Not you—You cheated, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen ; —How did you do it ? You can't have done it—You took it from me just as I got right—l don't believe you ' did;it fairly—Bet you a sovereign jou can't do it again—Can't think how you can waste your time ou such a babyish trick—Don't beliere now you did it." 12 0 • pm— (Midnight. In bed.) Fourteen, thirteen, fifteen. Its impossible." —; Judy.