S.—How much is one-half times one?

P.—One.

S.—How much is four and a-half times four and a-half?

P. (scratching his head)—That must be about thirteen.

S.—How much is three-quarters times five-eights?

P.—I never saw that in Daboll, and to be candid, Mr. Branch, I have long been accustomed to rush of blood to the head, and I had a slight rush just now, and I guess I won’t go any farther in figures to-day; but I would like to renew my Grammar studies.

S.—Very well: whose Grammar did you study in boyhood?

P.—Mr. Murphy’s.

S.—I presume you mean Lindley Murray’s?

P.—Ah, yes, it was Murray’s, and he once dined at my father’s.