struggle now pending in my own world. Once more I breathed a silent
prayer to the Ruler of all worlds in behalf of the crushed hands and
bleeding hearts that are bruised in order that certain men may make
their thousands in a day.

I studied the social life of the refined villagers and learned, with
much interest, that the word they use for soil, is used in the same
esteemed connection in which we use the word gold or diamond.

Preachers, teachers and orators make endless references to the soil.
Finally I approached, in a visible form, a few professors who were
engaged in a special discussion.

They were alarmed at my sudden appearance, not knowing whence I came nor
what sort of an animal I might be. I quickly calmed their troubled minds
by using language they easily understood, and explained that I was
neither a ghost nor a spirit, but a mere citizen of another world,
having, for a limited period, a free excursion ticket to a thousand
worlds, and that I chose their planet as one whereon to spend a fleeting
period.

Not having been accustomed to such visitants, they were at first
skeptical and thoroughly overawed at my presence.

I purposely became as familiar as possible and cautioned them to remain
in the selfsame room and spread no notice of my presence. To this
request they reluctantly consented.

After my nonplused auditors gained their senses somewhat they ventured
to reply to my coaxing questions; these finally led to the following