ral or prepared state?"

"Natural."

"Is it the whole, or only a part of the plant?"

"A part."

"Is it a part of a tree, a shrub, a vine, or is it of the grass kind?"

"A vine."

"Is it the root, stem, leaf, flower, or fruit?"

"Fruit."

"Is it used for food?"

"The species is--this one was not."

"Is this fruit pulpy like the grape, or mealy like the bean?"

"Mealy like the bean."

"Is it a bean?"

"Yes--that's one guess."

"Was this bean an ancient or modern one?"

"Very ancient."

"I know!" cried Amy; "it was the bean Jack the Giant Killer planted,
which grew up to the moon in one night, and fastened itself round one of
the horns."

"You are right--eight questions and two guesses; that's pretty well.
Now, Amy, 'tis your turn to think."

"I have a thought."

"Animal, vegetable, or mineral?"

"Animal."

"Quadruped or biped, fish, snake, or insect?"

"None of these; it is the production of a biped."

"In its natural or prepared state?"

"Natural--but a slight alteration was made in its shape at the time to
which I refer."

"What time is it--before or after the Christian era?"

"After."

"Before or after the year 1500?"

"Very much about that time."

"Had it any thing to do with Columbus?"

"Yes; at least Columbus had something to do with it."

"Was it Columbus' egg?"

"The very thing. And now, shall we not vary the scene by having a
story?"

"Agreed, we are all ready to listen; but who shall tell the tale?"

"It is Alice's turn; and do give us a ghost story, for once, a nice
frightful one that will make our teeth chatter and our hair stand on
end--do, Alice!"

"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, but I'll tell you some sort of a
tale, and hope that you will make allowances for a young beginner. I'm
no Scheherezade."

"No _what_?" said Amy.

"Is it possible you have not read the Arabian Nights? Scheherezade was
the princess who saved her life by telling such interesting stories; the
tyrant of a Sultan intended to put her to death in the morning, but she
left off in such an important part of her tale, that his curiosity led
him to spare her head till she had finished the narrative. Of course she
took good care to tell what the sailors call 'long yarns,' and the
Sultan found out he could not live without her to divert him."

The Spectre of Alcantra, or the Conde's Daughters.

A SPANISH TALE.

The Conde de Alcantra was a Spanish nobleman, universally esteemed by
t