1.

Elementary Lessons in Algebra

If all of those little boys were seated on one arm of the see saw, how many girls would it require on the other end to keep the balance even?

A teeter-tater illustration gives a clearer idea of the algebraic meaning of the two sides of an equation than could be acquired from months of hard study. Let us illustrate the first principle of algebra which tells us that like quantities added or subtracted from both sides of the balance do not change the equilibrium. We will solve the puzzle by the principle of cancellation. There are five boys on one arm of the balance and three on the other, so we cancel off three from each end. Then as there are three girls on one end and six on the other, we will cancel off three from both sides so as lo leave two boys balancing with three girls. Startling as it may look, we find that two of those little boys weigh the same as three girls, so if the eight little boys were placed on one arm of the see-saw it would require twelve of the fat girls to balance them! You see to make the picture deceptive the little boys were tilled with lead,

2.

Why is a game of tennis like a party of children?

There is always a racket.

3.

What sweetmeat is like a person proposed for some office ?

The candied date (candidate).

4.

Why is a sick Hebrew like an emerald ?

Because he is a Jew ill.

5.

Why is the printer like the postman?

Because he distributes letters.

6.

What is the difference between a sun-bonnet and a Sunday bonnet?

A day's difference.

7. A Charade

My first, gentle lady, you give to the youth

     Who now breathes the fond wish of his soul;

Whom with ardent affection, and honor and truth,

     You perceive is needed in my whole.

In my snug little second, secure from the storm,

     We the helpless and innocent find ;

And my whole, when a contract or bargain you form,

     You should give, the agreement to bind.

Cipher Answer.— 5, 1, 18, 14, 5, 19, 20.

8. A Puzzle

Express with four letters a sentence of four words containing fourteen letters.

Ans. — I O U O.

[I owe you nothing. — jws]

9.

Why are unprotected grates like insolent beggars?

Because they are destitute offenders.

10. A Charade

Perhaps you may know
That centuries ago
My name the world was unknown;
But now 'tis allow'd
In the midst of a crowd
I am met with in every town

Though varied each lot,
In life I have got,
Yet nothing my course e'er endangers ;
And wherever I go
So familiar I grow
That I am nodded to even by strangers.

I am cunning and bold.
For young or for old
I fear not, but bawl out aloud;
Pugnacious, you'll say,
For I knock down by scores in a crowd.

I lie and mislead,
So I pray you take heed;
My art's like a point of a thistle;
Be nice in your choice,
Take Franklin's advice,
And don't pay too much for your whistle.

Cipher Answer.— 1, 21, 3, 20, 9, 15, 14, 5, 5, 18.

11. A Rebus

In every hedge my second is,

     As well on every tree.

And when the schoolboy acts amiss,

     It often is his fee.

My first, likewise, is always wicked,

     Although it does no sin.

My total for my first is fitted,

     Is made of brass or tin.

Cipher Answer.—3, 1, 14, 4, 12, 5, 19, 20, 9, 3, 11.

12.

To show how little the patrons of the turf know about the theory of odds as practiced at the race track, let readers seek a solution to the following elementary problem: If the odds are 7 to 3 against Apple Pie and 6 to 5 against Bumble Bee. What should be the odds against the famous running horse Cucumber?