der to the front end of the
Ship and want to climb out on the Bowsprit so as to be in Frisco
ahead of anybody else.

He convalesced rapidly as they approached the Golden Gate, for he knew
that in a few days he would unpack for good and gallop down to the
office and not have to worry about Travelling.

The only Dark Cloud on the Shore hung above the Custom House. They
looked at all the Junk wished upon them by the simple Children of the
Far East and didn't know whether to declare it for what it cost or for
what it was really worth.

Being conscientious Members of the Church, they modified their Perjury
and smuggled only the usual amount of Carvings and hand-embroidered
Stuff.

Two hours after landing, Edwin saw a Porter-House Steak and burst into
tears.

They sped eastward by the first Train, still busy with the little Red
Books, for they knew they would have to answer a lot of Questions.
"Shall we own up and tell them the Awful Truth?" asked Selena.

"Not on your Esoteric Buddhism," replied Edwin. "We never will be
rewarded for our Sufferings unless we convince the Neighbors that we
had a run for our Money. It was a troubled Nightmare, in Spots, but
when I lecture in the Church Parlor I am going to burn Joss Sticks and
pull every variety of Bunk made famous by Sir Edwin Arnold and Lafcadio
Hearn."

On the following Tuesday, Selena appeared at the Club with her Mandarin
Coat and the long Hindoo Ear-Rings. She had them frozen in their
Chairs.

MORAL: Be it ever so Hard to Take, there is no Place like away from
Home.

THE NEW FABLE OF THE TOILSOME ASCENT AND THE SHINING TABLE-LAND

Once upon a time, out in the Rubber Boot Reservation, the Stork came
staggering up to a Frame Dwelling with a hefty Infant. The arrival was
under the Zodiacal Sign of Taurus, the Bull. Every Omen was propitious.
When the Gallery was admitted, on the third day, the gaping Spectators
observed that the Youngun had an open Countenance, somewhat like a
Channel Cat, a full head of Hair bushing at the nape of the neck, and
a hypnotic Eye; so they knew he was destined for the Service of the
Public.

Even while he was in the custody of the Old Women of the Township, he
began reaching for everything he saw and testing his Voice. He
claimed his Rations frequently and with insistence.

While he was demonstrating an elastic Capacity, the head Prophetess
called attention to his aggressive Style and predicted a political
Career.