The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JOKE TOLD AS TRUE

A MAN COULDN'T FIND A CLEAN JUG, SO HE TOOK HIS WIFE'S
BEST VASE DOWN TO THE WINE CELLAR. AS HE HIT THE SECOND
STAIR, HE SLIPPED AND TUMBLED ALL THE REST OF THE WAY
DOWN. HIS WIFE HEARD ALL THIS COMMOTION AND CAME TO THE
HEAD OF THE STAIRS. APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT HER
HUSBAND, SHE SHOUTED, "DID YOU BREAK MY VASE?"
INFURIATED, THE HUSBAND REPLIED, "NO, BUT BY GOD, I WILL."

Submitter comment: THIS JOKE APPEARS ON P. 225 OF AMERICAN FOLK TALES AND SONGS
BY RICHARD CHASE. THE AUTHOR REPORTS THAT HE HEARD IT
"FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO READ IT IN A BOOK OF RHYMES."
MY MOTHER, HOWEVER, INSISTS THAT THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED
IN THE 1880S TO CHARLES ESTERBROOK OF THE ESTERBROOK
PEN COMPANY FAMILY. MRS. ESTERBROOK WAS THE AUNT OF MY
MOTHER'S FIRST COUSIN, BEN ELLIS, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY.
THE INCIDENT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT THE
ESTERBROOK HOME IN MILAN, MICHIGAN, ON A DAY WHEN MRS.
ESTERBROOK WAS ENTERTAINING THE METHODIST LADIES' SEWING
CIRCLE. MY MOTHER ADDS THAT THE ITEM WAS LATER PRINTED
IN THE DETROIT JOURNAL BY IRVING S. COBB, A COLUMNIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Date learned: 10-00-1963