"Well, the dark one, then. She is tall, fair, and is looking anxiously for you to propose. Do you know a lady of this description whom you like?" I regretted that I did not. My "notion" ran to small ladies, of the opposite complexion. "Well," she said, not the least flurried, "here is one of that kind." I instantly placed my mind on one of this class,--my sister,--and she ran on. "She is soon to meet you. She is very rich." (Nellie will be glad to learn this.) "And I perceive a short-like man looking after her fortune. But have no concern; she loves you fondly, and you will marry her very soon. You are going a voyage, or across some water." (How far can one travel, in this country, without crossing water?) "You will meet an enemy, who will try to injure you in business." "What business?" I inquired. "You are a--yes--mechanic, though your hand is soft. I reckon you've been sick. Yes--machinist; make coffee-mills. Yes" (looking sharply into my face). (I was _leading her_!) "Corn poppers are in your line." (I nodded, and smiled, for how could I refrain from smiling?) "You trade in tin and earthen ware--chamber ware--spoons--and old boots." (True.) "You own a splendid house in the city--a large block"-(head). "Where was I born? Can you see?" "Yes; you were reared in the country; where there were deep, dark woods--all woods; in a log house, with thatched roof, and clay and stick chimney. A pig--am I right?--yes, a pig and a dog are kept in the same house. The windows are wooden, and--" "Where was it?" I suggested. "I should say in Ireland," she replied. "Enough, I believe. Now about the other lady," I said. "The dark one? Yes. She loves you, but is poor. Since you are rich, and a--" Here I tried to impress her that I was married. "You are married, but your wife will not survive you. No, she will soon go to heaven, and you will marry the dark-complexioned lady." "Good," I exclaimed. "Yes; and will have five boys and three girls." "Who?" "Why, the lady, of course." "O!" "Yes, and they will be happy and healthy." Here she informed me I had got my money's worth. I think I had. [Illustration] XIX. ECCENTRICITIES. "They'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable." "Democritus, dear droll, revisit earth, And with our follies glut thy heightened mirth."--PRIOR. A ONE-EYED DOCTOR AND HIS HORSE.--A NEW EDIBLE.--"HAVE THEM BOILED."--"BEAUTY AND THE BEAST."--A LOVELY STAMPEDE.--AN ECCENTRIC PHILADELPHIAN.--THE POODLES, DRS. HUNTER AND SCIPIO.--SILENT ELOQUENCE.--CONSISTENT TO THE END.--WHEN DOCTORS DISAGREE.--FOUR BLIND MEN.--DIET AND SLEEP.--SAXE AND SANCHO PANZA.--MOTHER GOOSE AS A DOCTOR'S BOOK.--THE TABLES TURNED ON THE DOCTORS. We love to see an eccentric individual--something out of the common routine of every-day, humdrum life. But what is often taken for an eccentricity is sometimes put on for an advertisement.