"Single?" asked the doctor, surprised.
"Sure," said the Irishman, "what's all this fussing got to do with a
marriage license!"
He had strayed into the wrong bureau.
* * * * *
A number of mischievous boys on their way to drive the cows home from
pasture one evening, passing by the low and lonely cabin occupied by a
poor old woman, hearing some one talking within, peeped through the
window and saw the poor old body on her knees before the wide
old-fashioned chimney. She was pitifully beseeching God to send her
bread. The boys thinking it would be a good joke, ran back home and got
some loaves of bread. The old lady was praying still for bread when they
returned, all out of breath. They climbed up on the roof quietly and
threw the loaves down the chimney, scrambled down to the door and
listened to the poor old soul pouring her heart out in thanksgiving to
God for sending her bread from heaven. Then they opened the door, and
burst in on her with:
"Why, granny! Did you think God sent you that bread? We tumbled it down
the chimbley!"
And she said, "Well, boys, God did send it even if the devil did bring
it."