Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1885 — Two Hundred and Eighty-eight. [ARTICLE]

Two Hundred and Eighty-eight.

Dark was the stilly night, and the distant glare of electric lights and the occasional fitful flashes of a meteor only served to deepen the shadows of the massive brick buildings which line Fourth avenue, when two Pittsburg attorneys ran into each other. “Oh, is it you, R. A. ?” said one, and was immediately answered by a deep “Yes.” “Say,” continued the first speaker, “did you hear that story about ‘2BB’to-day?” “No,” answered the other, excitedly, what is it?” “Oh, it’s too gross, too gross entirely, ” replied his companion, in a mournful voice. “Tell away,” resumed the first, “and Fll try to Btand it. If I must hear Buch dreadful things, I must. ” “Well,” exclaimed his friend, “144 is one gross, and 288 is two gross, isn’t it?” A meteor shot across the sky like a flash of lightning—a thud—a moan—a chuckle—a dark form stealing away in the darkness—and all was silent. — Pittsburg Dispatch.