This is the message the telegraph messenger handed a young man from his
betrothed "Come down as soon as you can; I am dying. Kate."

Eight hours later he arrived at the summer hotel, to be met on the piazza
by Kate herself.

"Why, what did you mean by sending me such a message?" he asked.

"Oh!" she gurgled, "I wanted to say that I was dying to see you, but my ten
words ran out, and I had to stop."


17. CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME

Breslau, a celebrated juggler, being at Canterbury with his troupe, met
with such bad success that they were almost starved. He repaired to the
church wardens, and promised to give a night's takings to the poor if the
parish would pay for hiring a room, etc. The charitable bait took, the
benefit proved a bumper, and the next morning the church wardens waited
upon the wizard to touch the receipts. "I have already disposed of dem,"
said Breslau; "de profits were for de poor. I have kept my promise, and
given de money to my own people, who are de poorest in dis parish!"

"Sir!" exclaimed the church wardens, "this is a trick."

"I know it," replied the conjurer; "I live by my tricks."


18. CHARITY; OR, A GOOD WORD FOR EVERY ONE--EVEN THE DEVIL.