ly conduct,
if the members should see fit to vary the monotony of the proceedings by
getting up an extemporized row among themselves. Johnny Cake alone
seemed aware that a necessity existed for the exhibition of proper
dignity on the part of the meeting. He sat by the table proudly erect.
His standing collar, neatly-tied cravat, and scrupulously clean
exterior, corresponded with his prim deportment.

It became a serious question who should open his budget of experience
first. There was no rule to coerce a member to commence; consequently,
appeals were made to the magnanimity of each other. These were
irresistible, and all suddenly became willing and even anxious to make
the beginning.

Mr. Dropper, however, got the floor first. He insisted that he was not
in the habit of appearing in large assemblies as a prominent participant
in the proceedings, and, in consideration of this fact, he ventured to
hope that his incipient efforts would not be judged of harshly.

Mr. Dropper's spasmodic modesty excited the boisterous mirth of his
fellow-members.

Mr. Remington Dropper commenced:

"Gentlemen of the Elephant Club," said he, "the subject which I have to
present for your consideration this evening is a remarkable instance of
the _genus homo_ which I accidentally came across in my peregrinations a
few evenings since. I was returning home from the theatre, and in
passing a door-way in Broadway, I discovered a man seated on the stone
step, with his form reclining against the door-casing. The gas-light
shone directly in his face, which revealed to me the fact that he was
asleep. The singularity of his personal appearance could not fail to
attract my attention, and I stopped to study his form, features, and
dress, to determine, if I could, who and what he was. His face had
evidently been put up askew. The corner of his mouth, the eye and
eyebrow on one side were inclined downward, giving him a demure and
melancholy look; but on the other side they were inclined upwards, which
made that side show a continued grin. A front view of his face was
suggestive of both joy and melancholy, which was equal to no expression
at all, as the expression on one side offset that of the other. His
coat, which was buttoned tightly about him, was neither a dress nor a
frock, but the skirts were rounded off in front, making it a compromise
between the two. His pants were also a go-between; they were neither
white nor black, but in point of color,