Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1893 — TRY IT YOURSELF. [ARTICLE]

TRY IT YOURSELF.

Anybody Can Ascertain Another’s Age by This Method. There was once a wise king who was awfully curious. He was possessed of a desire to know everything, and was continually asking questions. Indeed, his thirst for knowledge carried him so far that he wanted to know the age of every person he met. But, being a king, he was exceedingly polite, and would resort to strategy to gain his ends. One day there came to the court a grayhaired professor, who amused the king greatly. He told the monarch a number of things that he never know before, and the king was delighted, But finally it came to the point when the ruler wanted to know the age of the professor, so he thought of a mathematical problem. “Ahoml” said the king. “I have an interesting sum for you; it is a trial in mental arithmetic. Think of the number of the month of your birth.” Now, the professor was 00 years old, and had been born two days before Christmas; so he thought of 12, December being the twelfth month. “Yes,” said the professor. “Multiply it by 2,” continued the king. “Yes.” “Add 5.” “Yes,” answered the professor, doing so. “Now multiply that by 50.” “Yes.” “Add your age.” “Subtract 363.” “Yes.” “Add 115,” “Yes.” “And now,” said the king, “might I ask what the result is?”“Twelve hundred and sixty,” replied the professor, wonderingly “Thank you,” was the king’s response. So you was born in December sixty years ago, eh?” J “Why, how in the world do you know?” cried the professor. “Why,” retorted the king, from your answer—l26o. The month of your birth was the twelfth, and the last two figures give your age.” **“» ka, hal” laughed the professor. Capital idea. I’ll try it on the next person. It’s a polite way of finding out people's ages.—[Los Angeles World