Humorous Masterpieces from American Literature
     Aunt Pen's Funeral

    SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS.

   ("

    Mark Twain

   ")

     The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

    FITZ HUGH LUDLOW.

     Ben Thirlwall's School-days

     Selections from a Brace of Boys

    THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH.

     A Rivermouth Romance

   "Bridgeport! Change cars for the Naugatuck Railroad!" shouted the conductor of the New York and Boston Express Train, on the evening of May 27, 1858.... Mr. Johnson, carpet-bag in hand, jumped upon the platform, entered the office, purchased a ticket for Waterbury, and was soon whirling in the Naugatuck train towards his destination.

   On reaching Waterbury, in the soft spring twilight, Mr. Johnson walked up and down in front of the station, curiously scanning the faces of the assembled crowd. Presently he noticed a gentleman who was performing the same operation upon the faces of the alighting passengers. Throwing himself directly in the way of the latter, the two exchanged a steady gaze.

   "Is your name Billings?" "Is your name Johnson?" were simultaneous questions, followed by the simultaneous exclamations,—"Ned!" "Enos!"

   Then there was a crushing grasp of hands, repeated after a pause, in testimony of ancient friendship, and Mr. Billings, returning to practical life asked:

   "Is that all your baggage? Come, I have a buggy here: Eunice has heard the whistle, and she'll be impatient to welcome you."


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