the time when they are issued in those cities, will
you all promise to give me your generous patronage?"

"Of course we will," they cried all together.

"Very well; then I pledge myself to appear again in this place one week
from this day, ready to carry out my part of the bargain. And now, in
bidding you good-night, allow me to inform you that I came from America
to China by the _air-line_."

With this I retired at once to my room, and was soon sleeping soundly.

I knew that I should be watched so closely the next day as to make it
impossible for me to escape without detection; and accordingly I got up
an hour or two before daylight; and, having laid upon the table in my
room an amount of money which I supposed would be considered a fair
compensation for my supper and lodging, I tied the sheets together, and
lowered myself down into the then silent and deserted street. It was not
long before I found myself once more in the open country; and looking
carefully for the twisted twigs that I had tied together the afternoon
before, I soon discovered the chasm through which I had made my
remarkable trip to the eastern hemisphere. Taking the precaution to tie
a handkerchief over my mouth in order that I might economize my breath,
I summoned all my courage, and leaped into the hole. My experiences were
precisely the same as they had been in the previous journey; and in
course of a few hours, I found myself standing once more in the
familiar outskirts of Roxbury, and gazing tenderly upon the solemn dome
of Boston State House. As fast as my legs would take me, I rushed to my
poor mother's humble abode, longing to relieve the bitter agony to which
I knew she and my brother and sister must have been subjected during my
absence. It is not worth while for me to describe at length the scene
that ensued when I stood once more in the family circle, with my
mother's arms around my neck, and the young folks bellowing with joy. To
the frantic inquiries that were showered upon me as to what had
happened,--where I had been,--had I had any thing to eat? I coolly
replied that I had not had much to eat; and, if they would give me a
good, substantial supper, I would endeavor to relieve their minds.

"Supper, indeed!" cried my good mother; "why, it's just after sunrise!
You haven't lost your senses, I hope."

"I beg your pardon; but it was about sunrise hours and hours ago, when
I--when I"--and here I faltered, not caring just then to let t