Littleton College - Chatterbox Yearbook (Littleton, NC)

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258 THE CHATTERBOX. tions, though evidently of the genus homo, before he was snatched up bodily by two of the odd creatures, swept rapidly thru the air, and unceremoniously deposited at the entrance of at large estate, intersected by numerous canals. From a little lodge there came out, to the unspeakable relief of thc Traveler, a fellow-earthlingl I am Clara Hearne, former resident of Earth, and Busi- ness Manager of CHATTERBOX, at present State Treasurer of the 1908 Colony. Yes, we're very glad to see you. An- nie Crews, the President of our noble colony, told us of your expected visit. Mabel VVest sighted your ship from the ob- servatory, and the native Martians were immediately sent to meet you. But business is business, and T must request that you pay me for the services of these Martians, buy a ticket of admission, and tickets for the canal ferry. You cross five canals before you reach the Executive Mansion. You may also purchase meal tickets of me. Pm selling them at a bargain to-day. Yes, we accept United States money. No, I can't change twenty dollars. But that's all right. Now, don't be mercenary and grasping and try to End any- thing smaller. I can use this. Good day. Very glad to have seen youf' uVVellI gasped the Traveler, as he hastened on, in his heart admiration for the fetching business methods of the plucky treasurer, in his pocket-book-not much of anything! Arrived at the ferry landing he looked in vain for the boat, and then laughed at his own stupidity as one of the inevita- ble winged vehicles sped towards him. May Spence. Her Ship, was written on the prow, and the graceful boatwoman directed the craft of her name with unerring skill. fWVelcome, Traveler, she cried, in a deep, stentorian voice. Would you cross the broad canal? Your ticket, please, and I will bring you safe to yonder shore.

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THE CHATTERBOX. 257 Yes, look down there. And there, indeed, was Clee, just appearing over the hill. The late Miss Reel, remarked Annie, sadly. Poor Cleebus! Go back for her 2 cried the irate and relentless driver. HBy Mars, no! Wle are charged to run at the rate of 11,000 miles an hour for three years, and can not stop until we reach Mars. If we were to delay now we should probably be run down by a comet. Oh, there's no danger. Here, it's about time you took a fried-chicken-and-waflies tablet. This breeze gives one an appetite. And you would better adjust the oxygen tubes, weire coming to pretty rare atmosphere. Don't say a word to me for a month. I have just eaten pel- lets to last for five weeks, in order to devote myself undis- turbed to the guiding of the ship. And don't worry about your friend. She can come by the next express. Clee, meanwhile, had seated herself resignedly on her suit- case, and had the girls been within hearing distance they would have heard her remark philosophically, VVal, ain't the hull thing ridiculous ? 96 96 96 99 96' -X' 66 Five years later a Traveler, an earth-dweller, alighted from his air-ship on the planet Mars, and immediately start- ed out in search of the 1908 Colony. The long summer sea- son was in full swing. A wealth of green covered that part of the planet, and in the distance sparkled the water of a canal. On every hand were strange plants and animals. Carefully tilled fields gave evidence of human habitation. But where were the inhabitants? In a most unexpected fashion was his question answered. A shadow and a whirring overhead caused him to look up. He had barely time to observe that there were approaching him, in miniature air-ships, freaks of the strangest propor-

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Tun CHATTERBOX. 259 And she did, indeed, but the Traveler found himself in a thick jungle and heard the laughing voice of the Colony sea- captain directing him to Follow the path, But oh! be wary! Follow the Path Till you reach the next ferry. Now, to follow a path is an easy matter, if there is a path to follow. The Traveler felt decidedly homesick as the thicket closed in about him. The queer Martian animals scampered about in the underbrush, the queerer Martian na- tives peered out from unexpected places. But no path was in sight He closed his eyes hopelessly, and then, in spite of himself, was suddenly speeding thru the thicket. ln the distance sounded the tinkling of bells. When he managed to open his eyes the Traveler looked out on a broad meadow. Not far beyond were flocks of sheep. And What do you think of the Blind Jungle W' was the abrupt query of some one behind him. He turned to see a maiden wearing on her sleeve a lmge red heart on which was written My heart. Room for all. Signed, Clee Reel. It's the jungle for the blind, continued Clee, in answer to his puzzled expression, a bit of philanthropy on my part. I haven't been here as long as my comrades so this is the sole expression of my life's aim-philanthropic origi- nality. VVhy, I broke my engagement with a watchmaker named O. N. Time for the sake of carrying out my mission. In the Blind Jungle there is no path, so to have eyes is no advantage,-'in fact to the contrary,' as the sea-sick French- man said when asked if he had dined. But a blind person, not being able to see that there is no path, is not disturbed by the fact, and is better off without one. So if a person unfor- tunate enough to have sight merely closes his eyes to his sur- roundings, the effect is the same. Oh, it's all very logical 4