papers as if on a wager. Ten minutes is the brief space allotted for the production of the wondrous effusions; and when Mr. S. announces, "Time's up", the hat is again full; and one says, with a sigh of relief, "There, I never made two lines rhyme in my life before;" another modestly remarks, "You needn't think we are verdant because we are in Green--" but the warning finger of the Philosopher is raised, and Pat, the reader, begins, emphasizing the words drawn as he reads:-- "Why so much quarrelling about Religion! It's as plain as string _beans_ That from this very means The world is not right, If I had but clear sight I might _hope_ ere this night Is _beginning_ to wane The thing to explain. But, lacking the wit, I must e'en submit This doggerel rhyme And hope 't is in time." "Oh! oh!" exclaimed the "small specimen" (aged ten), "that's Grandma's; I heard her say she 'knows beans', 'cause she is a Yankee;" but the S. S. subsides on hearing the next paper read, and shows so plainly that she "wishes herself further" that it is not difficult to guess the author:-- "What's quicker than lightning? A _Turkey_ or a squirrel Can 'cut' like a _knife_ But I never saw a creature rash Like a _deer_ in all my life." "Good for Ten-year-old!" exclaim the chorus; and the S. S., brightening up, concludes she'll try it again sometime. Next comes the question:-- "Where do cabbages come from? My will is good, and I _propose_ To tell you all I can In this dry time a garden hose Must come into the plan First plant the seed, and in due course Will little shoots appear, When each from other has _divorce_ They'll flourish, it is clear. If this rhyme is worth preserving, With _mucilage_ it may be fixed On any wall deserving Such wit and wisdom mixed." As it is well known that the natives of the Emerald Isle have a predilection for cabbages, it is unanimously decided that none but Pat could have perpetrated this; so Pat grins, suggests that a bill poster be secured at once, and proceeds:-- "How would you like to be a cat? In _Timbuctoo_ each stern ascetic, Though blind to folly as a bat, Revels in love _peripatetic_ Which makes him nimble as a cat But though I'm fond of such agility, I better like the busy bees, For they display so much ability They 'mind one of the _Portuguese_." At this implied compliment to his people, the black eyes of the foreign student flash approval; and the Mathematician speaks up, saying, "That is the Philosopher, sure, and proves the truth of the saying, 'A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.'" The Philosopher smiles benignantly, but does not deny the charge; and the reader continues:--