Quite startling; and after hearing it we
learn, the cause of the Astronomer's silent merriment in the corner, and
rejoice that Dr. Holmes's experience in "writing as funny as he could"
has proved a warning to this individual: -
"What is stronger than an onion?
Oh, scissors! on a summer night
To tax a fat republican
In thinking out with all his might
Some mightier thing than on-i-on.
Garlic, maybe's not strong enough
Well, I'll exert my 'spunk'
So here you have it, 'in the rough,' -
A pole-cat, alias s - - k."
The Oleaginous Personage comes next with the question, "Do you like
Crambo?" which was answered, rather ambiguously, thus: -
"If our last lingo was a specimen
Of this most wise and learned game,
'Tis sure that thus not many men
Would long be known to fame.
Any of you as well as I
Would knock our type all into Pi,
If ghost, or man, or printer's devil
Should show us up for good or evil."
Here the sedate and dignified Elsie gives her opinion of a summer
recreation after this fashion:
