reminiscence : Here, embalmed in balsam, are pol- 

 lens from my indoor plants, molds and fungus 

 spores, mites and other minute insects, and many 

 familiar but microscopically beautiful objects 

 such as fish scales, and moth wings, and certain 



seeds. 



Well, a better day did break. I found myself in 

 possession of twenty extra dollars; enough at least 

 to make a deposit on the microscope and insure its 

 being mine. 



It was, however, a full month after my first 

 attempt at bargaining that I again entered the 

 pawnshop ; this time to claim the microscope as my 

 very own. Once again I requested to see the instru- 

 ment. I was privileged to examine it at my leisure, 

 for at this conjuncture another customer entered 

 to engage the dealer's attention. 



Now came the moment I had been awaiting. 

 Adjusting the mirror of the microscope, I pulled 

 from my pocket the box of slides that had been so 

 painstakingly prepared. 



Wonder of wonders! Pictures and even the 

 printed word had made me fairly acquainted with 

 the magnified appearance of my subjects. But I was 



[17] 



