The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-07-07

A QUEER "SET. ."-Farmer Gruff was one
morning tugging away with oil his might
and main at a barrel of apples, which he was
endeavoring to get up the cellar stairs, and
calling at the top of his lungs for one of his
boys to come and lend him a helping hand,
but all in vain. When he had, after an in
finite amount of putting and sweating, ae-
complished the task, and just when they
were not needed, Of course, the boys made
their appearance.
Where have you. been, and what have
you been about, I'd like to know, that you
couldn't hear me call ?' inquired the farmer,
in an angry tone, addressing the eldest.
"Out in the shop, settin' the saw" re-
piled the youth.
sand you, Dickr
"Out in the barn, settin' the hen."
"And you, sir ?"
"Up in Granny's room, settin' the clock"
" And you, young man 7"
up garret, settin' the trap"
"And now, Master Fred, where were you
sETTIN," asked the old farmer Of his younger
progeny, the asperity of his temper bring
logue of answers. "Come, let US have II"
"Out on the doorstep, setiin' still, re-
piled the young hopeful, seriously.
remarkable SET, / must confess" add
ed the amused sire, dispensing the grInning
group with waive of his hand.
THE ORIGIN OF TOUCHING GLASSES BEFORE
DRINKING. Surely the custom among men
of touching their glasses before drinking the
health OF friend { or on other occasions for
q ceremony's sake,) merits some attention
in regard TO its ancient origin. Possessing
fondness for antique researches, il affords an
infinite pleasure to communicate the why
and wherefore of the above mentioned pFne-
tice.
Several years anterior TO the time Of So
crates, Il was given out that any criminal
condemned to die the death by having Q
poisonous drink administered, was at liberty
TO consider his life insured, II he could sue
ceed in prevailing upon bis friends TO share
the potion with him, even 10 such small
quantities as might prove inoncuous to all;
and In order to ascertain precisely the exact
ness of each ones allowance, they bad re-
course to the everyday custom Of touching
glass With glass, measuring In this manner
their respective portions, pledgiBg the health
and happiness of the thus liberated convict,
and rejoicing that they had been made the
medium through which bis life was saved
/ may safely venture to assert that no two
men out Of thousand, II questioned, will
be found familiar with this brief episode,
notwithstanding the off-repeafed times they
resort to its practice In their daily patronage
of coffee-houses.-N o. Times.
HALO, this mouse, yelled man on the
steps Of an uptown mansion one cold night
lately. at the same time ringing the door bell
violently. what do you want?" asked the
owner, cautiously thrusting bis head from an
upper window. Pm your cousin from Shrevs-
bury, and want to stay here all night"
We'll, you may stay there in welcome, II
you'll keep quiet, and let the door bell alone"
said the hospitable fellow inside, as he shut
down the window.
TIE watch Of Sir John SYLVESTER, a Recor-
der of London, was one day stolen BY man
whom he had just tried and acquitted At the
Old Bailey for petty larceny. During the
trial Sir John happened TO say aloud that he
bad forgotten to bring bis watch with him.
The thief, being acquitted, went directly TO
Lady sylvester, SAYING the Recorder bad sent
him, with his love, and the request that her
ladyship would Immediately send hls watch.
A MAN, who was great sfickler for eti-
quette, having married widow before her
period Of MORNING had expired, soon after
made his appearance with a weed on bic bat
On being spoken to on such singular con-
duct, be remarked that be considered It no
more than the handsome thing toward bic
lameuted predecessor.