"There were games and puzzles and comic readings with an occasional
tragedy, and singing from boys in chorus, and boys or girls in solos,
and a couple of street boys with bagpipes, until the allotted hour
to close arrived. Then I as a stranger from the far-off America,
was requested to make a brief address and close with prayer. When the
bell calling to order was rung, I was surprised to see how quickly
every one found a seat, waiting to hear what was said.
"I had just commenced to tell them about my home across the water,
when a small hand near me was raised, and a boy asked timidly,—