The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-08-15
Curious Advertising Stratagem.

Some few years ago a natter III LONDON Speculateo
in the purchase of the entire stock of a bankrupt
brother tradesman but soon after his purchase he
found that he had overstocked himself. He was on
the point of reluctantly ~dismissing some of his hands,
when a sharp -witted friend COME to The rescue. BY
his advice, = handblll, announcing the ~cheapness of
the ~latter's wares was prepared and distributed exactly
as had been already done for some time, except In one
particular Item The bill was headed Who's your
After ?" and throughout it's contents were invariably
mentioned as Ats, Youths Silk Ats, Best Beaver
Ats, Ladies' Riding Ats, etc. The remainder of the
handful was in unexceptionable English. The result
perfectly justified the inventors anticipations. These
bills were sought after as typographical curiosities.-
Men shouted with laughter at the ludicrous effect
of what they considered Ignorance on the part of
the printer, or of the writer. They carried these
bills in their pockets and merrily showed them to
their friends. One or two elderly gentlemen, pre-
viously perfect strangers, came to the shop, bought 'ats'
and expostulated gravely with the after upon the
solecism. Young fellows purchased gossamers for the
fun of the thing, begged for ~handbills, and held jocular
conversation with the shopkeeper. The shop became
known, and the proprietor, now a Aourishing ~tradesman,
frequently smiles as he hears the street boys calling out
the now established phrase of Who's your after !? the
origin of which, but for the publication of this curious
little episode on advertising, might possibly, in a few
short years, have been lost forever to the antiquarian.
To this day, the pronunciation of the popular inquiry
is that of the original handful.
THE SUGAR CANE.-We are pleased to see the
statement that "tle agricultural bureau of the Patent
Office" has made arrangements for the introduction
and cultivation of sixteen or more varieties Of the
sorghum sucre, or sugar cane, and sincerely hope the
experiments which are now being made with this new
plant may prove successful. If we can raise our own
sugar and molasses in Maine, or even the molasses
alone, it will prove an invaluable acquisition to our
rops.-Main Farmer.
CAMPHoR A REMEDY FOR MIcE.-Any one DESTROYS
of keeping seeds from the depredations of mice, can do
so by mixing pieces of camphor gum in with the seeds.
Camphor placed in trunks or drawers will prevent mice
from doing them injury. The little animal objects to
the smell, and keeps a good distance from it.
A PosER.-A calm, blue-eyed, self-composed and
self-possessed young lady in a village "down east" receiv-
ed a long call the other day from a prying old spinstcr,
who, after prolonging her stay beyond even her own
main question which had brought her thither; GIVE
been asked a good many times if you was engaged to
DIR. c. Now, if folks inquire again whether you
be or not, what shall 1 tell 'em 1 think s" ''Tell them"
answered the young lady, fixing her calm blue eyes in
unblushing steadiness upon the inquisitive features of
her interrogation, "tell them that you think you don't
know, and you are sure it is none of your business"
A Georgia niger was riding along and came to a
bridge, when his mule stopped. PHI bet a quarter, said
Jack, 'Pll make you 60 over dis bridge and struck the
mule over the ears which made him nod his head sudden
". you take the bet, then,' said the negro, and con-
trrived to get the mule over the bridge. 4 won that
quarter any how said Jack. But how will you get
the money! said a man close by unperceived. 'To-mor-
row. said Jack, 'massa glib a dollar to get corn, and
take the quarter out
MARKErs.-The editor of an exchange paper pub
fishes a punning " market report" in which he states
that tin plates are fat, lead heavy, iron dull, rakes not
much inquired after, champagne brisk, rhubarb and
SIENNA are drugs, starch is stiaening, eggs lively, butter
lard strong, and paper is stationary. There is no
life in dead hogs, but considerable animation in old
cheese. s,G .ns@
A pedlar calling on an old lady to dispose OF some
goods, inquired if she could tell him of any road no ped
lar had Travelled. fYes,' said she Il know of one, and
one, which no pedlar has travelled, and that's the
to Heaven ft
A maid hooked one of the best Of her mistress dresses
the other day but the affair was passed over because it
was done behind the lady's back, SO that there was no
one to testify to the fact. G
The editor Of an Eastern paper expresses great indig-
at the manner in which a woman was buried VINO 81