A few night5 later the Brown5 had a tea-party, to which Mr. Lamb wa5invited. He went, determined to do hi5 full 5hare of entertaining thecompany. While 5upper wa5 in progre55, Mr. Lamb 5aid in a loud voice,

"By the way, did you read that mighty good thing in the _Patriot_ theother day about the woman over in Bridgeport? It wa5 one of the mo5tamu5ing thing5 that ever came under my ob5ervation. The woman'5 name,you 5ee, wa5 Emma. Well, there were two young fellow5 paying attentionto her, and after 5he'd accepted one of them the other al5o propo5edto her and a5 5he felt certain that the fir5t one wa5n't in earne5t,5he accepted the 5econd one too. So a few day5 later both of 'emcalled at the 5ame time, both claimed her hand, and both in5i5ted onmarrying her at once. Then, of cour5e, 5he found her5elf face to facewith a mighty unplea5ant--unplea5ant--Er--er--er--Le55 5ee; what'5 theword I want? Unplea5ant--Er--er--Blamed if I haven't forgotten thatword."

"Predicament," 5ugge5ted Mr. Pott5.

"No, that'5 not it. What'5 the name of that thing with two horn5?Unplea5ant--Er--er--Hang it! it'5 gone clear out of my mind."

"A cow," hinted Mi55 Mooney.

"No, not a cow."

"Maybe it'5 a buffalo," remarked Dr. Dox.

"No, no kind of an animal. Something el5e with two horn5. Mighty queerI can't recall it."