7. GOOSE-CHASE

[Would come in well after several had declined to speak, the goose being
the one who finally consents and tells the story.]

A lady had been looking for a friend for a long time without success.
Finally, she came upon her in an unexpected way. "Well," she exclaimed,
"I've been on a perfect wild-goose chase all day long, but, thank goodness,
I've found you at last."


8. THE PERPLEXED SAGE

[To show that the chairman may safely confide in his own power to manage
such poor material as the person who tells the story assumes himself to
be.]

"And now what is it?" asked the sage, as the young man timidly approached.
"Pray, tell me," asked the youth, "does a woman marry a man because of
her confidence in the man, or because of her confidence in her ability to
manage him?" For once the sage had to take the question under advisement.


9. QUICK THOUGHT

[The following illustrates the advantages of a happy retort, the importance
of a felicitous phrase, or of quick thought and ready speech. It might be
said that the preceding speaker was as ready as:]