Many an unpremeditated sell has been perpetrated from inability to resist sudden temptation. One of the judges of the Supreme Court of New York state, visiting the Centennial Exhibition, sat down in a quiet corner apart from the others, to listen to a great cornet-player, and as was his wont in court, drew his gray coat about his head and ears as a protection against possible draughts. His motionless figure soon attracted attention; and the whisper ran that it was the statue of some wonderful character. The judge’s sister wickedly told those near her that they were gazing at the effigy of an Aztec priest from Mexico. The information passed from mouth to mouth, and some hundreds of people were drawn to the spot, to disperse somewhat sheepishly when the object of their curiosity, having had enough of the cornet, readjusted his coat and rose to go. A good story is told of one Boggs, whose impertinent curiosity was proverbial throughout the country that owned him. He was on one occasion travelling on the Little Miami Railroad alongside a solemn-looking man, who persisted in looking out of window and took no heed of Boggs’ endeavours to enliven the journey with a little conversation. At last the brakeman or guard came round with some water, and the unsociable traveller turned round to take a drink. Seizing the chance, Boggs asked: ‘Going as far east as New York?’ ‘No,’ grunted the man. ‘Ah!’ said Boggs, ‘New York is dull this time of year; mebbee you’re striking for Philadelphia?’ The surly one shook his head. ‘P’raps Cleveland’s your destination?’ insinuated Mr Boggs. ‘No? Can’t be going this roundabout way to Chicago?’ No reply was vouchsafed. ‘Well,’ cried Boggs despairingly, ‘I s’pose you’ve no objection to telling where you _are_ going?’ ‘Well sir,’ exclaimed the man, ‘I’m going for seven years!’ Then the deputy-sheriff said he would rather not have folks talking to his prisoners, and Boggs gave in. This puts us in mind of Mark Twain’s anecdote of Artemus Ward and a travelling bore, between whom the following amusing colloquy took place: ‘Did you hear that last thing of Horace Greeley’s?’ ‘Greeley, Greeley, Horace Greeley; who is he?’ said Artemus. Five minutes elapsed, then came: ‘George Francis Train is making a good deal of disturbance over in England; do you think they will put him in prison?’ ‘Train, Train, George Francis Train,’ said Artemus solemnly; ‘I never heard of him.’ The tormentor tried another tack; he said: ‘What do you think about Grant’s chance for the Presidency?’ ‘Grant, Grant?—Why man!’ said Artemus, ‘you seem to know more strangers than any one I ever saw.’ The man took a walk up the car; coming back, he said: ‘Well, you ignoramus, did you ever hear of Adam?’ The humorist looked up and said: ‘Adam? What was his other name?’ The journey henceforth was made in peace.