The train stopped and the other man got up and, leaning over, grabbed him by the arm.
"I'm changing my mind," he said; "guess I will get off at this station.
By-by. Sorry I can't know you better."
The pioneer in human progress sat for some time after the train had started, pondering on the deep problem of destiny. Suddenly, however, he clapped his hands to his pockets and ran forward to the conductor.
"Say, conductor," he whispered, hoarsely, "did that man I was talking to get off at the last station?"
"Yes, sir; did you lose anything?"
The human benefactor smiled sadly.
"Not in comparison with what the world has lost," he replied. "The human race has lost one of those priceless ideas which, in the course of centuries, sometimes come to real genius only to be abandoned. I lost only my watch."
THE SILVER LINING
He was a Scot, with the usual thrifty characteristics of his race. Wishing to know his fate, he telegraphed a proposal of marriage to the lady of his choice. After waiting all day at the telegraph office he received an affirmative answer late at night.
"Well, if I were you," said the operator who delivered the message, "I'd think twice before I'd marry a girl who kept me waiting so long for an answer."