Several gentlemen approached, but were successively and politely
dismissed. Suddenly she experienced a quick convulsion, strode
sharply forward one step, stopped short, had another convulsion, and
walked rapidly away. Approaching the spot I found a small iron
grating in the sidewalk, and between the bars two little boot heels,
riven from their kindred soles, and unsightly with snaggy nails.

Heaven only knows why that entrapped female had declined the
proffered assistance of her species-why she had elected to ruin her
boots in preference to having them removed from her feet. Upon that
day when the grave shall give up its dead, and the secrets of all
hearts shall be revealed, I shall know all about it; but I want to
know now. A Tale of Two Feet.

My friend Zacharias was accustomed to sleep with a heated stone at
his feet; for the feet of Mr. Zacharias were as the feet of the
dead. One night he retired as usual, and it chanced that he awoke
some hours afterwards with a well-defined smell of burning leather,
making it pleasant for his nostrils.

"Mrs. Zacharias," said he, nudging his snoring spouse, "I wish you
would get up and look about. I think one of the children must have
fallen into the fire."

The lady, who from habit had her own feet stowed comfortably away
against the warm stomach of her lord and master, declined to make
the investigation demanded, and resumed the nocturnal melody. Mr.
Zacharias was angered; for the first time since she had sworn to
love, honour, and obey, this female was in open rebellion. He
decided upon prompt and vigorous action. He quietly moved over to