Found in the Washington Star Jan 18, 1906

 

Metaphorically Speaking

"Nature," said the poet, "writes a
message of loveliness on the face of every
fine girl."

"Yes." answered Mr-.. Camcox. "and
before Gwendolyn got through with the
freckles this summer, she looked as if
nature had been using a fountain pen "
—Washington Star.

 

This Joke refers to the tendency of early fountain pens to splatter ink. If a rough nib got caught on the paper the fountai pen would likely splatter fine dots across the page. Also early pens were often difficult to get started. In amny cases this was not a fault of the fountain pen itself, but from poor ink that clogged the feed in the fountain pen. The user would need to shake the pen in order to get a flow going through the fountain pen.