to me,
that very probably I was in China. After walking for an hour or two, I
reached a rising ground, and saw in the distance an immense city on the
water's edge; which from its position, and resemblance to certain
pictures that I had once seen in Boston, I believed to be Canton.
Refreshing myself with some fruit that grew by the wayside, I started
off in haste, in order, if possible, to reach the city before nightfall.
Just as the sun was setting, I entered what appeared to be one of the
main streets; when, tired and hungry and footsore, I began to think
seriously what I should do to procure food and lodging. Here I was,--a
poor boy in a strange land, unable to address a word to the people
around me, and with only a few cents and two or three bits of paper
currency in my pocket, that could be of no value in that country. _What
was I to do?_ Just then I came to a large and respectable-looking
building; and over the door there was this sign, in good plain
characters:--

"ENGLISH AND AMERICAN COFFEE-HOUSE."

Tears of joy filled my eyes. In an instant, I said to myself, "Your
fortune is made, old fellow! Here you have thirty or forty Boston
newspapers, not twenty-four hours old, strapped around your neck; and I
rather think they will be in some demand in Canton."

With a light heart I now entered the office of the hotel, and threw down
my bundle, with a good, black-leather covering around the papers, so
that it looked like an ordinary piece of luggage, which gave me the
appearance of a regular traveller; then called for a room, and ordered
supper. It was true that I had very little money in my possession,--not
enough, certainly, to pay my bill at the hotel; but no questions were
asked, and I gave myself little concern as to the future. I had a
first-rate appetite, and ate voraciously.

After supper was over, I took my bundle in my hand, and strolled
leisurely into a pleasant and spacious room, where a number of
gentlemen--English and American--were sitting around in groups, some
chatting together, and others reading the London and New York and Boston
papers. Among them I recognized the face of a merchant whom I had seen
several times in State Street; and slinging the strap over my shoulder
in a careless, every-day sort of tone, just as any newsboy would have
done at home, I went up to him and said, "Have the morning papers,
Mister?--'morning papers?'--'Advertiser,' 'Journal,' 'Post,' 'Herald,'
last edition,--pub