While building a house, Senator Platt of Connecticut had occasion to employ a carpenter. One of the applicants was a plain Connecticut Yankee, without any frills.

“You thoroughly understand carpentry?” asked the senator.

“Yes, sir.”

“You can make doors, windows, and blinds?”

“Oh, yes sir!”

“How would you make a Venetian blind?”

The man scratched his head and thought deeply for a few seconds. “I should think, sir,” he said finally, “about the best way would be to punch him in the eye.”