A number of gentlemen from different parts of the country were lodging
at one of the hotels in Atlantic City. It was their custom to amuse
themselves at table by relating anecdotes and conundrums. One of the
men, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, was always greatly delighted at these
jokes and laughed louder than the rest, but never related anything
himself. He couldn't think of anything to say, and being so much rallied
for his standing failure to contribute to the general fund, he
determined that the next time he was called on he would have something
to relate. So he went to one of the waiters and asked him if he knew any
good jokes or conundrums. The waiter said he did, and gave him the
following:
"It is my father's child, and my mother's child, and yet it is not my
sister or my brother," telling him at the same time that it was himself.
Hans bore it well in mind, and the next day at dinner he suddenly burst
out with, "I've got a conundrum for you!" "Let's have it!" exclaimed his
companions.
"Vell--here it iss. It iss my fader's child, and it iss my mudder's
child, and yet it wass not my sister nor my brudder. Now, vat wass dot?"
"Then it must be yourself," said one of the company. And they all said
the same. But Hans laughed them all to scorn, saying, "Diss time I
cotched you. I got you now. You wass all wrong. It wass der waiter."