You would be Mrs. Nobody, you know; but listen--here
is the enthusiastic:
"MY DEAR ASHLEY:
"You are destined for great things--it is yours to scale the heights
of song, and snatch the crown from Ossa's lofty brow. Fulfil your
destiny, and make your country happy!"
"---- ----."
"Oh, yes!" said Fanny; "why don't you!"
"I will!"
"Very likely!"
"I'm glad you agree with me; but here is the _considerate_."
And turning the leaf, he read--
"I SAY, OLD FELLOW:
"May your course in life be serene and happy; and may your friends
be as numerous and devoted as the flies and mosquitos in the Eastern
Range.
"Your friend, till death,
"---- ----."
"The fact is," said Ralph, in explanation, "that this is probably the
finest wish in the book."
"Were there many flies?" said Fanny,
"Myriads!"
"And mosquitos?"
"Like sands on the seashore, and of a size which it is dreadful to
reflect upon even now."
"Very large?"
"You may judge, my dear Fanny, when I tell you, that one of them
flew against a scallop of oysters which the boots was bringing to my
apartment, and with a single flap of his wings dashed it from the hand
of the boots--it was dreadful; but let us get on: this is the last I
will read.
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