Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1887 — The Inquisitive Boy Again. [ARTICLE]

The Inquisitive Boy Again.

A young lady and a small, brighteyed boy entered a street car on Lake avenue yesterday afternoon. The lady deposited her fare and the boy’s, and the bell rang. “Aunt Ella,” said the boy, “what makes the bell ring?” “The driver rings the bell,” was the reply. “What does he do that for?” “Why, he does it to register the fflPO “What does he do that for?” “Because he has to.” “Oh.” Then there was a silence for half a minute. Presently the boy said: “ What is that round thing up there ?” “That is the register.” “What is that for?” “To register the fare.” “You said the ring registered the fare. ” “No, I didn’t say that.” “Yes, you did, Aunt Lila.” “Now, Johnny, don’t you contradict me; you are a naughty boy.” “Well, that’s what you said.” A silence of two minutes followed. It was broken by the boy, who said: “Say, Aunt Ella, what made you tell me that the ring registered the fare?” “Oh, I don’t know.” “You did say so, didn’t you, Aunt Ella?” “Yes, Johnny.” “Then what made you say that you didn’t say it ?” “I didn’t say that I didn’t say so. Don’t bother me, Johnny.” After another brief silence the boy returned to the attack. “Say, Aunt Ella, did you go to Sunday-school when you little?” “Yes, child, of course I did.” “Did you take any prizes?” “Yes, lots of them.” “Did you tell wrong stories as much as you do now ?” “Johnny, you are a bad boy. I shall tell your mother.” “1 wish you would tell her two times; that’s what I wish. ” “Why, Johnny?” “ ’Cause you wouldn’t tell the same story two times; that would let me out. Herald.