(_A Strange Fragment dealing with a Mystery._)
Every important question that could be considered had been thoroughly
examined and decided. The delegates, who had come from North, South,
East and West, had expressed their satisfaction with everything
they had seen in London. As for the British Empire generally, their
admiration knew no bounds. "It was magnificent." "It was beautiful."
"It was grand." And yet when they prepared to take their departure
there was a shade of disappointment upon their expressive
countenances.
"I wish I could have understood it," said one.
"It would have been a triumph of ingenuity to have comprehended it,"
observed another.
"The queries of the Egyptian Sphinx were the easiest of conundrums in
comparison," added a third.
And others chimed in to the same effect. But to the very last the
delegates tried their best to solve the problem. At length the company
departed. The hall in which the great assembly had been held was
empty. There was one striking object in the deserted apartment. It was
a book--a yellow-covered book. Evidently it had been much read. But,
in spite of the fingering, there was no distinct evidence that the
full meaning of its contents had been grasped by anyone.
In the quiet of the night the moonbeams illuminated the title-page.
The volume that rested so securely with its knowledge carefully
concealed between its paper covers was _Bradshaw's Railway Guide_.
* * * * *
WHO WOULDN'T BE AN ALDERMAN?--I have often wished to be an Alderman,
and, after reading the following extract from the _Birmingham
Daily Gazette_, I have fixed upon West Bromwich as the scene of my
aldermanic labours. It must be glorious to joke with such ease:--
"A WEST BROMWICH ALDERMAN'S JOKE.--Yesterday morning when the
West Bromwich guardians entered the Board Room at the West
Bromwich Workhouse, the blinds were all drawn, and as a
consequence the room presented a very gloomy appearance. The
business was about to be commenced, when Alderman R. WILLIAMS
objected to the blinds being lowered. He inquired whether
their lowering had a political significance, and whether the
house was in mourning for the death of the Radical Government.
If his assumption was true he considered they should
not commence the business until the blinds were raised
(_Laughter._) Two of the largest blinds were then raised, but
six others were allowed to remain down."
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE GREAT POLITICAL COMBINATION TROUPE.
S-L-SB-RY (THE STRONG MAN), B-LF-R, DUKE OF D-V-NSH-RE, AND JOE
CH-MB-RL-N (THE "CLIMBING BOY").]
* * * * *
[Illustration: OMNISCIENCE.
_Son of the House._ "I'M GOING TO OXFORD FOR A WEEK, MARY, SO MIND AND
SEND MY LETTERS THERE. _YOU_ KNOW WHERE OXFORD IS?"
_Mary Elizabeth Jane_ (_the smart new Parlourmaid who knows
everything_). "YES, SIR. _CAMBRIDGE_, OF COURSE!"]
* * * * *