COTTAGES FOR RENT DURING THE WATERING SEASON.

FOR SALE CHEAP.

At first it seemed to the professor that this was a sign-language, and

that each word was represented by a distinct sign; further examination

convinced him that it was a written language, and that every letter of

its alphabet was represented by a character of its own; and finally he

decided that it was a language which conveyed itself partly by letters,

and partly by signs or hieroglyphics. This conclusion was forced upon

him by the discovery of several specimens of the following nature:

He observed that certain inscriptions were met with in greater frequency

than others. Such as "FOR SALE CHEAP"; "BILLIARDS"; "S. T.--1860--X";

KENO"; "ALE ON DRAUGHT." Naturally, then, these must be religious

maxims. But this idea was cast aside by and by, as the mystery of the

strange alphabet began to clear itself. In time, the professor was

enabled to translate several of the inscriptions with considerable

plausibility, though not to the perfect satisfaction of all the scholars.

Still, he made constant and encouraging progress.

Finally a cavern was discovered with these inscriptions upon it:

WATERSIDE MUSEUM.

Open at All Hours.

Admission 50 cents.

167

Sketches New and Old