CHAPTEE XVIII. 



THE MARTINGALE BLINDERS BLIND AND OPEN BRIDLES FEED- 

 ING OATS AND HOMINY. 



PRECEPTOR. Before eating dinner, I felt a little out of 

 hnmor. The recollections of some transactions worried 

 me. I am pleased to say that I have recovered my equa- 

 nimity, and after inhaling the aroma of this finely flavored 

 cigar, my brain will be clear enough to discuss any topic 

 with which I am acquainted. By the way, you must have 

 obtained another supply of cigars. I see your favorite clay 

 pipe is laid aside, and you are smoking with evident satis- 

 faction the fellow to this. 



PUPIL. The bale of Killikinick, that was flavored so ex- 

 actly to my taste, has unfortunately been consumed. The 

 visions that have been pictured on my brain, while assist- 

 ing at its empyreal ceremonies, have not been so evanes- 

 cent. While you were gone, and I was left to my solitary 

 dreamings, the after-dinner smoke was among the pleas- 

 antest moments of the day. I am not going to inflict the 

 recollections of these phantasies on you now, though I 

 watched the decrease of my treasure, much as the cast- 

 away sailor would look at the daily diminishing supply of 

 water. I could not expect to get any more, as the fabri- 

 cators have gone out of the business, and I knew of none 

 others possessing the same cunning skill at selecting the 

 leaves from a year's purchase, having them manufactured 

 with the same care, and apportioning the fragrant spices 

 of the Orient so exactly that the compound became perfec- 



