Every writer has his parish. To mine, I need offer no apology for presenting,First, a new story which has never before appeared in print;Secondly, the "hundred-dollar-a-column story," respecting the remuneration of which, skeptical paragraphists have afforded me so much amusement. (N. B.-My banker and I can afford to laugh!) This story having been published when "The New York Ledger" was in the dawn of its present unprecedented circulation, and never having appeared elsewhere, will, of course, be new to many of my readers;Thirdly, I offer them my late fugitive pieces, which have often been requested, and which, with the other contents of this volume, I hope will cement still stronger our friendly relations...FROM THE BOOKS.