He was not long absent, but soon came up the steps, bringing a sack-bottomed chair in one hand and a suspicious-looking pamphlet in the other.

He placed the chair in front of the tiller.
"Hawser," said he, "sit down in that chair, and take this pamphlet, which is one of the most wonderful books that was ever laid before a wicked world.

The author shows by figures, facts, and calculations that the world will be destroyed on the 12th of June.

Good Lord! The time is close at hand.

I have not read the book; my eyes trouble me too much besides, I have not had time.