Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-17
AS YOU LIKE IT
Some Stray Leaves From a Reporters
 Note Book


 York Historical society, q paper on History and Humor in Colonial Ad- vertising'' was read by Frank Warren Crane. Among the humorous things Mr Crane touched upon was Tan ad- yertisement in Bradford's Gazette for May 8, 1736, in which a discontented bachelor made his wants known at some length, and specified the mini mum fortune, in pounds, shillings and pence, which would gain his consider ation. Another man advertised him. self as having the advantageous .'knack of seldom having his bills dis puted.'' But the two most amusing notices were those of a man and his wife who had disagreed The first, from the husband, gave notice that he intended to s'abscond," and forbade anyone to give. his wife credit, as he repudiated all liability. In the sec ond the wife retaliated, with the ex- plantation that the separation was mu- tual, that she had money of her own, and would, on her part, pay none of her husbands bills from that date.
 The Hammer club, one of Water bury'S popular organizations, has committee looking around with a view to determining whether the boys had better spend week at the mountains during the warm weather or enjoy a few days trip on the water So far nothing has been decided upon, but it is thought they will take to the woods and while the time away, birdnesting, berrying and basking in the sunshine The Hammer boys are an exclusive set, and while willing at all times to treat people who rub against them with the utmost courtesy, still they have never allowed anyone to occupy a seat at their banquet table or attend sessions held by them for any pur- pose unless he is q member An eff fort is now being made to admit the representatives of the press to tne outings of the club this season, but the question has not yet been settled and it looks as if the society would refuse to let down the bars to accom- modate even such charming fellows as the newspaper men of Waterbury.
 A ventriloquist tells the following story of how he put a fellow on the run who was abusing a poor, over worked mule: While overseeing a gang of men, who, with mule teams, were hauling loads of dirt. the ventril- oquist came up and stood looking on. Presently q mule, driven by a fiery tempered fellow, baked right in front of where some men were standing. The driver lost his temper and began to beat the animal Every now and then the mule would turn his head and look responsibility at the fellow, but refused to budge. "Now, just watch him. the yentriIoQuist whis- pered. At that moment the fellow gave the animal a kick with his heavy boot. The mule turned his head and looking the man square in the face, opened his mouth: Don't you do that again. The voice sounded as though it came direct from between the mules parted lips. The whip dropped from the fellows hand. For moment he stared at the mule. and then. without word, he bolted down the street as fast as his legs could take him.
 Joe Barbour of Hartford, who spoke at the Business Mems banquet Thurs day night, is said to be a success as a lawyer. but many think he would have made bigger hit if he had turned his attention to the stage. He has few equals as a story teller. He sprung about. a dozen jokes on the banquet and it would be hard to tell which of them took best. But perhaps none of the puns created more laughter than the one about the minister who paid a visit to Oxford college, Eng land, and was asked to preach to the students. He didn't expect to be cal led upon to do anything of the kind and was wholly unprepareG for such a task He hunted through his trunk for a sermon, but could find nothing in that line except one on marriage. This he did not consider appropriate for a crowd of college students, but it was all he had and he made up his mind to let them have it. The boys listened with more attention than the minister had supposed they would and this encouraged him so that after a short time, he waxed eloquent and con- tfnued his oratorical bursts to the last pdIdSTdpu- hcIc ue pSiuStQ anu tASA continued ''and now a word to those of you who are mothers. If the stu dents enjoyed the joke any better than did the Business men of Waterbury there must have been a barrel of fun at Oxford that day
 The women of St Pierre, says one who has seen them, were straight as palms, supple and tall Most Of them were colored; they had fine figures and a surprising elegance of movement; all, or nearly all, were without shoes. Perhaps the most novel impression of all was that produced by the singular ity and brilliancy of certain of the wo- mems costumes, especially their head dress. It was merely an immense madras handkerchief. folded about the head with admirable art, like bright end pushed through at the top in front being left sticking up like a plume. Then this turban, always full of bright canary color, was fastened with golden brooches one in front and one at either side. AS for the remainder of the dress, it was simple enough; an embroidered. Iow-cut chemise with sleeves; skirt of jupe, very long behind, but caught up and fastened in front below the