Practical joking might correctly be described as a remnant of the barbaric ages, when strength and muscle received the respect we now award to mind and brain. Indeed, it still passes current among modern barbarians for humour, while in civilized States, where humour is something that appeals to the intellect, joking in the practical sort is generally regarded as buffoonery. Having admitted thus much, it may be said that even practical joking is not all bad, and is sometimes “a source of innocent merriment.”
Joking of the practical kind is very often a pronounced characteristic of the actor, as the countless stories of players and their pranks abundantly prove. The reason for this is most likely to be found in the fact that it requires something of the actor’s talent successfully to carry out a practical joke, and actors, knowing they possess the ability, are often tempted to exercise it. The name of the genial J. L. Toole, of happy memory, will naturally occur to every one in this connexion, and the fact of that good-hearted soul having had a strong weakness for this diversion is ample proof that practical joking is quite compatible with geniality of character. The stories that are told of Toole and those which he told of himself would easily fill a couple of volumes. For the purpose of the present chapter a typical one will suffice.
IRATE PARENT (_in front row_) OF SMALL BOY ASSISTING CONJUROR. Disobedient young monkey! Why, it was only last week I forbade him to keep rabbits.]
[Illustration: A FANCY SCENE--WINNING THE GLOVES.
From the grand pugilistic ballet of the fight for the championship, which might, could, should, and ought to be played at one of the operas.]
[Illustration: THE MODERN LANGUAGES TAUGHT IN ONE LESSON!
GERMAN PROFESSOR (_on “la Perche”_) _to Italian ditto below_. Be steadier, Bill, will yer, or I’m blowed if I don’t come down!]
The comedian once entered a dairy, and solemnly remarked to the shopman--“I will take a boy,” with a glance at his shelves. “A boy, sir?” asked the puzzled shopman. “Yes, or a girl,” replied the comedian. The man never doubted but his visitor was a lunatic, and said, mildly--“Pardon me, this is a milkshop.” “Come outside,” said Toole, and taking the dairyman by the arm he led him out of the shop and pointed to the sign. “I’ll take a boy or a girl,” he solemnly repeated. “Read what your notice states--‘Families supplied in any quantity.’”