"Well, cheer up," the Author resumed; "fame comes at the most
unexpected times. To-day you are poor, obscure, and disheartened,
and to-morrow the world may be ringing with your name."

"What are you giving me?" the Labourer said. "Cannot an honest
pavior perform his work in peace, and get his money for it, and his
living by it, without others talking rot about ambition and hopes
of fame?"

"Cannot an honest writer?" said the Author.



The Tried Assassin



AN Assassin being put upon trial in a New England court, his
Counsel rose and said: "Your Honour, I move for a discharge on the
ground of 'once in jeopardy': my client has been already tried for
that murder and acquitted."

"In what court?" asked the Judge.

"In the Superior Court of San Francisco," the Counsel replied.

"Let the trial proceed - your motion is denied," said the Judge.
"An Assassin is not in jeopardy when tried in California."