Once in a while, if you are eminent among your fellows by some gift of nature, as is an acquaintance of mine, you may chase down one of these will-o'-the-wisps. He--yes, it is he, for what woman would own to a number ten foot even for the sake of a bargain?--saw a fire sale advertised, with men's shoes offered at a dollar a pair. He went to the store. Sure enough, a fire had occurred somewhere, but not there. It was sufficiently near, however, for a fire sale. A solitary box was brought out, whose edges were scorched, as by a match passed over them; within was a pair of number ten shoes. Number tens alone, whether one pair or more, I wot not, represented their gigantic fire sale. And I can not say how many men had come only to be confronted with tens, before this masculine Cinderella triumphantly filled their capacious maws with his number ten feet, and gleefully carried off what may have been the only bargain in the shop. In spite of the suspicions of some doubting Thomases who regard all bargains as snares and delusions, it is certain that many real bargains are offered among the numerous things advertised as such; but to profit by them, I may add, one must have an aptitude, either natural or acquired, for bargains. P.S.--I have just learned that my wicker chair would not have been very cheap at six dollars. FABLE BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON The mountain and the squirrel Had a quarrel, And the former called the latter "Little Prig"; Bun replied, "You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together, To make up a year And a sphere, And I think it no disgrace To occupy my place. If I'm not so large as you, You are not so small as I, And not half so spry. I'll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track; Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I can not carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut." THE WOMAN-HATER REFORMED BY ROY FARRELL GREENE He said to sue for maiden's heart And hand required too much of art In framing phrases, making pleas, And swearing vows on bended knees "Till death (or court decree) doth part." One's oh, so apt to get the cart Before the horse, and at the start Break down. It's torture by degrees, He said, to sue! Yet when sweet Susan, coy but smart, Safe landed him, and Cupid's dart Went through his breast as through a cheese, And pierced his heart with perfect ease, He--well, I'll not the words impart He said to Sue! HOW MR. TERRAPIN LOST HIS PLUMAGE AND WHISTLE BY ANNE VIRGINIA CULBERTSON "Well," said Janey, as Aunt 'Phrony finished telling of the loss of Mr. Terrapin's beard, "I saw a terrapin the other day, and it didn't look as though it ever had had a beard or wattles. I thought it was real ugly."