FROM OUR PAST By Allan MacRae

People Had a Sense of Humor in the Past, 1928

A “Hunting” Dog Story
There is a possibility, though rather a rare one at present, that a new live stock industry may be started at Summerside which, if properly engineered, might even rival silver fox ranching...The Pioneer, 7 January 1928.

“It seems that an esteemed citizen of Summerside, who is an expert trapper and hunter, recently ordered a high pedigreed hunting dog from the United States. This high priced animal duly arrived a few days ago and it took an additional $14 and some odd cents to bail him out of the express office. Then the earliest possible opportunity was taken to try him out on hunting rabbits in the woods near Summerside, to which our hunter and several sporting friends repaired.”

“It was only a few minutes before the dog ‘gave tongue,’ followed by a continuous howl, which the proud owner explained was the way of the most elite canines of the best hunting breeds. As the howling came nearer all guns were cocked in readiness. When, however, the dog rushed howling out of the woods chased by an irate rabbit, the gunmen were too surprised to shoot; and all they could do was to silently watch this strange reversal, as both animals were hitting on all four cylinders in the direction of Summerside, to the boundaries of which the rabbit chased the dog.”

“It is now proposed that our Summerside hunter should import a similar hunting dog and from them breed a strain that would go into the woods and be chased home by rabbits. If this can be accomplished and there seems nothing to hinder it that we can see, P. E. Island might in the future become the world centre of a new and very practical hunting dog that would sell for many thousands of dollars per pair!”

MacGregor’s Supper
“MacGregor wanted to stay at home, but Mrs. MacGregor insisted that they visit their neighbors, the MacNabs, that night; so that was the end of it! MacGregor left his cozy fireside, and with his wife braved the cold and snow. When they arrived he was far from cheerful. He played cards under protest, spoke seldom, and failed to applaud the piano selections of Jean MacNab.”

“Supper time came round. ‘Will you have a cup o’ tea, Mr. MacGregor?’ asked Mrs. MacNab. ‘No tea,’ he said. ‘Maybe you’d like a cup of coffee?’ she suggested. ‘No coffee,’ he muttered.
Mrs. MacNab then had a brain wave, ‘Ah,’ she said, smilingly, ‘let me get you a whisky and soda.’ Mr. MacGregor’s countenance did not change. ‘No soda!’ he said, solemnly.

Means of Grace
“A black preacher walked into the office of a newspaper in Rockymount, North Carolina and said, ‘Mister Editor, they is 43 of my congregation which subscribe to your paper. Do that entitle me to have a church notice in your Sunday issue?’

“Sit down and write,’ said the editor.”

“I thank you. And this is the notice the minister wrote: ‘Mount Memorial Baptist Church the Rev. John Walker, pastor. Preaching morning and evening. In the promulgation of the gospel, three books is necessary: The Bible, the hymn book and the pocketbook. Come tomorrow and bring all three.”