there
will be no trouble about order. (Cries of "Go on!") Well, gentlemen, as
I was saying that--that--that--where the devil did I leave off?
(Applause and laughter.) There, you see that you have broken the thread
of my remarks. (Cries of "Good!") Yes, it may be fun for you, but, as
the boy said to the frogs, it's death to me (laughter). No, I mean as
the Death said to the boys, it's frogs to--(renewed laughter). Go to
thunder! I am not going to make speeches to such a set a young rascals
as you are." (More applause.)

As soon as order had restored itself, the Higholdboy ordered, at his own
expense, a glass of apple-jack for Mr. Boggs, with the view of
expressing, through it, his full and thorough appreciation of Boggs's
oratory. Mr. Boggs accepted it. Inquiry was then made of Mr. Boggs as to
what he had desired to say in his speech. He stated substantially, that,
having been engaged in loafing about, and doing nothing, he had had no
time to prepare a contribution for the entertainment of the club.

So completely had the eloquence of Mr. Boggs riveted the attention of
the club, that they had hardly made a commencement in disposing of the
beverages which had been ordered; Mr. Dropper proposed that, as Johnny
Cake was not to be employed in drinking, he having ignored the proffered
port wine sangaree, he should occupy their time by relating his
experience. To this he expressed his willingness to accede. He stated,
however, that he had been on a flying visit to Illinois since his
initiation into the Elephantine order, and that he was consequently
unable to furnish them with any experience of an interesting nature, in
New York. But some interesting incidents had occurred on a railroad
train, which he had undertaken to note down, with the view of reading to
the club.

Mr. Johnny Cake here produced a roll of manuscripts, which, after he had
straightened up his collar, he proceeded to read. The manuscript read as
follows:--

"I do not propose, now, to give you a glimpse of anything within the
city. In fact, it is my intention to inflict upon you an
extra-metropolitan scene, which I recently witnessed, and which, though
funny, was not comfortable, and I don't care about experiencing it
again."

The section of country to which your attention is called was
flat--positively flat--comparatively stale, and superlatively
unprofitable. It was a western prairie marsh, the home of gigantic
frogs, the abiding place of water-snakes