llow; so he consulted a Wise-Looking Person
who sat by the wayside.

"Take _that_ road," said the Wise-Looking Person, pointing it out; "it is
known as the Political Highway."

"Thank you," said Jamrach, and was about to proceed.

"About how much do you thank me?" was the reply. "Do you suppose I am
here for my health?"

As Jamrach had not become rich by stupidity, he handed something to his
guide and hastened on, and soon came to a toll-gate kept by a Benevolent
Gentleman, to whom he gave something, and was suffered to pass. A little
farther along he came to a bridge across an imaginary stream, where a
Civil Engineer (who had built the bridge) demanded something for interest
on his investment, and it was forthcoming. It was growing late when
Jamrach came to the margin of what appeared to be a lake of black ink,
and there the road terminated. Seeing a Ferryman in his boat he paid
something for his passage and was about to embark.

"No," said the Ferryman. "Put your neck in this noose, and I will tow
you over. It is the only way," he added, seeing that the passenger was
about to complain of the accommodations.

In due time he was dragged across, half strangled, and dreadfully
beslubbered by the feculent waters. "There," said the Ferryman, hauling
him ashore and disengaging him, "you are now in the City of Political
Distinction. It has fifty millions of inhabitants, and as the colour of
the Filthy Pool does not wash off, they all look exactly alike."

"Alas!" exclaimed Jamrach, weeping and bewailing the loss of all his
possessions, paid out in tips and tolls; "I will go back with you."

"I don't think you will,", said the Ferryman, pushing off; "this city is
situated on the Island of the Unreturning."

The Party Over There

A Man in a Hurry, whose watch was at his lawyer's, asked a Grave Person
the time of day.

"I heard you ask that Party Over There the same question," said the Grave
Person. "What answer did he give you?"

"He said it was about three o'clock," replied the Man in a Hurry; "but he
did not look at his watch, and as the sun is nearly down, I think it is
later."

"The fact that the sun is nearly down," the Grave Person said, "is
immaterial, but the fact that he did not consult his timepiece and make
answer after due deliberation and consideration is fatal. The answer
given," continued the Grave Person, consulting his own timepiece, "is of
no effect, invalid, and absurd."

"