Читать книгу Dangerous Dilemmas: Startling but True онлайн

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Shopman—None.

Proprietor—Nor cork legs?

Shopman—Not any.

Proprietor—Very sad! Something must be done. Of course you've got rid of a number of home knitters?

Shopman—No!

Proprietor—Not sold even a baby?

Shopman—There has only been one man here this morning, and he wanted a glass eye of a green colour; but I think it was only his fun.

Proprietor—Tut, tut! This is dreadful! Heavy expenses and no returns! Out with the Canary!

The canary, when wound up, can really sing not only for a minute or two, but, by a secret contrivance, its melodious voice goes on without a break for hours! So my informant tells me. It always attracts large and admiring crowds, many of whom become purchasers, not only of the bird, but machines for hatching chickens, feeding them, pulling off their feathers, roasting them, and many other wonderful contrivances! The only thing wanted to make these shops perfect is a market for wives and an assortment of coffins. The ingenious plan of keeping the canary in full tune so long as considered desirable is simple. It consists of a flexible tube attached to the bird, at the end of which is a whistle. This is put into a basin of water and blown through. It is not a horse this time, but a mechanical bird, that brings grist to the mill.