The Agent was silent and thoughtful for a moment; then he drew the
other apart into an unfrequented place and whispered in his ear:

"My friend, I will impart to you a dark secret. Years ago the
Company betrayed my sweetheart by promise of marriage. Under an
assumed name I have wormed myself into its service for revenge; and
as there is a heaven above us, I will have its heart's blood!"



An Optimist



Two Frogs in the belly of a snake were considering their altered
circumstances.

"This is pretty hard luck," said one.

"Don't jump to conclusions," the other said; "we are out of the wet
and provided with board and lodging."

"With lodging, certainly," said the First Frog; "but I don't see
the board."

"You are a croaker," the other explained. "We are ourselves the
board."