Life's Misfortunes.

The holiday train was crowded. In one coach was a woman accompanied by a little girl and a boy. The children were full of high spirits and gambolled through the coach, much to the annoyance of other passengers. Finally one could stand it no longer.

“Madam,” she said, “if you can't keep your children quiet I shall lodge a complaint.”

The mother sighed.

“Your misfortunes don't compare with mine,” she replied. “My little girl has just swallowed our tickets, the boy has broken a coach window, I've left my purse at home, and we're on the wrong train.”—From “The Santa Fe Magazine.”

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