Life — December 26, 1889 — page 43: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

But with his trusty bowie he Cuts his way out to liberty. THOUGHTFUL, Considerate Burglar; WOT D' YER WANT TER MAKE THAT NOISE ABOUT, ANYWAY ? D’ YER WANT TER WAKE UP EVERYBODY IN THER HOUSE ? “CHESTNUTS.” ~EVERAL stories have been in circulation explaining the origin of the word chestnut as applied to old jokes, and the November number of Lippincott adds yet another. According to this writer, the most plausible one is given by Mr. Joseph Jefferson, who, to quote his own words, say here is a melodrama (2 7 but little known to the present generation, written by William Dillon, called ‘The Broken Sword.’ There are two characters in it—one a Captain Xavier, and the When thus attired he boldly strides other the comedy part of Pat/o. The captain is a sort of Baron Munchausen, and, Back to the haunts of men, in telling of his exploits, says: ‘I entered the woods of Colloway, when suddenly from the boughs of a cork tree—' /ad/o interrupts him with the words, ‘A chest- nut, captain, a chestnut!’ ‘Bah!’ replies the captain. ‘Bobby, I say a cork tree!’ ‘A chestnut!" reiterates Pad/o. ‘I should know as well as you, having heard you tell the tale these twenty-seven times.’ “William Warren, who had often played the part of Pad/o, was at a stag-dinner a few years ago, when one of the gentlemen present told a story of doubtful age and originality. ‘A chestnut,’ murmured Mr. Warren, quoting from the play. ‘1 have heard you tell the tale these twenty-seven times.’ The application of the lines pleased the rest of the table, and when the party broke up each helped to spread the story and Mr. Warren's commentary. And this,” Mr. Jefferson adds, ‘I really believe to be the origin of the word chestnut.” NEW TO HIM. LERK (of New York store): Is there anything else, sir? Perhaps you would like to look at some nightshirts. Younc CHoTeau (from St. Louss): What are they? ESIDEN™ (0 organ grinder): Mf you'll stop playing “ White Wings” I'll give And now he's making piles of stamps yuu five cents. In Fanangh's Dime Museum, ORGAN GRINDER: “Sweet Violets,” fi’ centa, “White Wings,” ten centa. comicbooks.com