ply, "but I opine 'bout a
hundred an' twenty-five thousan', countin' de whites."

POSTAL

It is human nature to take an interest in the affairs of others. The
fact has been amply demonstrated by innumerable postmasters and
postmistresses who have profited from their contact with the
communities' correspondence. That the postman, too, is likely to be well
informed is shown in a quotation by _Punch_ of a local letter-carrier's
apology to a lady on his round:

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, I seem to have lost your postcard; but it only said
Muriel thanked you for the parcel and so did John, and they were both
very well, and the children are happy, and she'll give your message to
Margery. That'll be your other daughter, I'm thinkin'?"

PRAISE

One negro workman was overheard talking to another:

"I'se yoh frien'. I jest tole the fohman, when he say dat nigger Sam
ain't fit to feed to de dawgs, why, I done spoke right up, an' tole him
yoh shohly is!"

PRAYER

The Dutchman still retained a strong accent, although he had been in the
country forty years, and was a churchwarden. When the rector complained
that a certain parishioner had called him a perfect ass, and asked
advice, the reply, though well intentioned, sounded ambiguous:

"All you should do vill pe youst to bray for him, as usual."

* * *

A Scotch missionary in the Far East suffered ill fortune in his
marriages, for two wives in succession yielded to the trying climate and
died. The missionary had depended on the Board at home to select his
previous mates, and he wrote for a third. When due time had elapsed, he
journeyed to the seaport to meet the steamer by which his new mate
should arrive. At the appointed hour, as the boat drew in, he stood on
the dock anxiously waiting. Among the few passengers to descend the
gangplank, it was easy for him to select the one destined for him. At
sight of her, he shuddered slightly, and a groan burst from his lips.

"Freckles," he muttered despairingly, "and red headed, and with
squint--for the third time!--and after all my prayers!"

* * *

Charles had attained the age of five when he attended a football game
for the first time. It cannot be doubted that he was profoundly
impressed by the excitement on the gridiron, for at bedtime his mother
was horrified to hear him utter his nightly prayer thus:

"God bless papa! God bless mama! God bl