SCENE IV.--_An Up-platform at Clapham Junction._ TIME--_Monday

afternoon._

_Curphew_ (_to himself, as he paces up and down with a pre-occupied air_). I ought to have been up at the Hilarity rehearsing hours ago. Considering all that depends on that play of mine--but there'll be time enough to pull _Flattery_ together before Saturday. And this is the only chance I have of seeing ALTHEA for days. Her mother hinted last night that she was obliged to let her travel up to Waterloo alone, and if I _did_ happen to be going up about this time--and of course I _do_ happen to be. I _must_ tell ALTHEA; I can't go on playing a part any longer. I felt such a humbug last night over that confounded Eldorado business. But if I'd revealed myself then as "Walter Wildfire, Comedian and Vocalist," those puritanical parents of hers would probably have both had a fit on the floor, and have kicked me out of the house as soon as they were sufficiently recovered! That's the worst of becoming intimate with a serious Evangelical family in the character of a hard-working journalist. I ought to have undeceived them, I suppose, but it was such a blessing to sink the shop--and besides, I'd seen ALTHEA. It would have been folly to speak until--but she must know now, I'll have no more false pretences. After all, there's no disgrace in being a music-hall singer. I've no reason to be ashamed of the means by which I've got my reputation. Ah! but she won't understand that--the name will be enough for her! And I can't blame her if she fails to see the glory of bringing whisky and water nightly to the eyes of an enraptured audience by singing serio-comic sentiment under limelight through clouds of tobacco-smoke. Heaven knows _I'm_ sick enough of it, and if _Flattery_ only makes a hit, I'd cut the profession at once. If I could only hear her say she--there she is--at last--and alone, thank goodness! I wish I didn't feel so nervous--I'm not likely to get a better opportunity. (_Aloud, as he meets_ ALTHEA.) Mrs. TOOVEY said I might--can I get your ticket, or see after your luggage, or anything?

_Althea._ Oh, thank you, Mr. CURPHEW, but PH[OE]BE is doing all that.

_Curph._ (_to himself, his face falling_). That's the maid; then she's _not_ alone! I must get this over now, or not at all. (_Aloud._) Miss TOOVEY, I--I've something I particularly want to say to you; shall we walk up to the other end of the platform?

_Alth._ (_to herself_). It looks more serious than ever! Is he going to give me good advice? It's kind of him to care, but still----(_Aloud._) Oh, but we shan't have time. See, there's our train coming up now. Couldn't you say it in the railway carriage?

[_The train runs in._

_Curph._ (_to himself_). For PH[OE]BE'S edification! No, I don't quite----(_Aloud, desperately._) It--it's something that concerns--something I can't very well say before anyone else--there'll be another train directly--would you mind waiting for it?

_Alth._ (_to herself_). It's very mysterious. I _should_ like to know what it can be! (_Aloud._) I--I hardly know. I think we ought, perhaps, to--but this doesn't look a very nice train, does it?

_Curph._ (_with conviction_). It's a _beastly_ train! One of the very worst they run, and full of the most objectionable people. It--it's quite noted for it.

_Alth._ (_to_ PH[OE]BE, _who hurries up with her hand-bag_). No, never mind; I'm not going by this train, PH[OE]BE; we'll wait for a more comfortable one.

_Ph[oe]be._ Very good, Miss. (_To herself, as she retires._) Well, if that isn't downright barefaced--I don't know what it is! I hope they'll find a train to suit 'em before long, and not stay here picking and choosing all day, or I shan't get back in time to lay the cloth for dinner. But it's the way with all these quiet ones!

_Alth._ Did you want to speak to me about last night, Mr. CURPHEW? Has my cousin CHARLES been getting into any mischief? I only came in afterwards; but you were looking so shocked about something. Was it because he had been to a theatre, and do _you_ think that very wicked of him?

_Curph._ (_to himself_). I ought to manage to lead up to it now. (_Aloud._) It was not a theatre exactly--it was--well, it was a music-hall.

_Alth._ Oh! but is there any difference?

_Curph._ Not much--between a music-hall and some theatres. At theatres, you see, they perform a regular play, with a connected plot--at least, some of the pieces have a connected plot. At a music-hall the entertainment is--er--varied. Songs, conjuring-tricks, ventriloquism, and--and that kind of thing.

_Alth._ Why, that's just like the Penny Readings at our Athenæum!

_Curph._ Well, I should hardly have--but I'm not in a position to say. (_To himself._) I'm further off than ever!

_Alth._ It couldn't be _that_, then; for Papa has presided at Penny Readings himself. But CHARLES must have told him _something_ that upset him, for he came down to breakfast looking perfectly haggard this morning. CHARLES had a long talk in the library with him last night after you left, and then Papa went to bed.

_Curph._ (_to himself_). I felt sure that fellow spotted me. So he's let the cat out to old TOOVEY! If I don't tell her now. (_Aloud._) Did Mr. TOOVEY seem--er--annoyed?

_Alth._ He looked worried, and I believe he wanted to consult _you_.

_Curph._ (_to himself_). The deuce he did! (_Aloud._) He mentioned me?

_Alth._ He talked of going round to see you, but Mamma insisted on his staying quietly indoors.

_Curph._ (_to himself_). Sensible woman, Mrs. TOOVEY! But I've no time to lose. (_Aloud._) I think I can explain why he wished to see me. He has discovered my--my secret.

_Alth._ Have you a secret, Mr. CURPHEW? (_To herself._) He can't mean _that_, and yet--oh, what _am_ I to say to him?

_Curph._ I have. I always intended to tell him--but--but I wanted you to know it first. And it was rather difficult to tell. I--I risk losing everything by speaking.

_Alth._ (_to herself_). He _does_ mean that! But I won't be proposed to like this on a railway platform; I don't believe it's proper; and I haven't even made up my mind! (_Aloud._) If it was difficult before, it will be harder than ever now--just when another train is coming in, Mr. CURPHEW.

_Curph._ (_angrily, as the train passes_). Another--already! The way they crowd the traffic on this line is simply dis----But it's an express. It isn't going to stop, I assure you it isn't!

_Alth._ It _has_ stopped. And we had better get in.

_Ph[oe]be._ I don't know if you fancy the look of this train, Miss, but there's an empty first-class in front.

_Curph._ This train stops everywhere. We shall get in just as soon by the next--sooner in fact.

_Alth._ If you think so, Mr. CURPHEW, wait for it, but we really must go. Come, PH[OE]BE.

_Ph[oe]be._ I only took a second for myself, Miss, not knowing you'd require----

_Curph._ (_to himself_). There's a chance still, if I can get a carriage to ourselves. (_Aloud._) No, Miss TOOVEY, you must let me come with you. Your mother put you under my care, you know. (_To_ PH[OE]BE.) Here, give me Miss TOOVEY'S bag. Now, Miss TOOVEY, this way--we must look sharp. (_He opens the door of an empty compartment, puts_ ALTHEA _in, hands her the bag, and is about to follow when he is seized by the arm, and turns to find himself in the grasp of_ Mr. TOOVEY.) How do you do, Mr. TOOVEY? We--we are just off, you see.

_Mr. Toovey_ (_breathlessly_). I--I consider I am very fortunate in catching you, Mr. CURPHEW. I accidentally learnt from my wife that you were going up about this time--so I hurried down, on the bare chance of----

_Curph._ (_impatiently_). Yes, yes, but I'm afraid I can't wait now, Sir. I--Mrs. TOOVEY asked me to take care of your daughter----

_Mr. Toov._ ALTHEA will be perfectly safe. And I must have a few words with you at once on a matter which is pressing, Sir, very pressing indeed. ALTHEA will excuse you.

_Alth._ (_from the window_). Of course. You mustn't think of coming, Mr. CURPHEW. PH[OE]BE will look after me.

_Curph._ But--but I have an important engagement in Town myself!

_Alth._ (_unkindly_). You will get up quite as soon by the next train, Mr. CURPHEW, or even sooner--you said so yourself, you know! (_In an under-tone._) Stay. I'd _rather_ you did--you can tell me your--your secret when I come back.

_The Guard._ Vauxhall and Waterloo only, this train. Stand back there, please!

[_He slams the door; the train moves on, leaving_ CURPHEW _on the platform with_ Mr. TOOVEY.

_Curph._ (_to himself, bitterly_). What luck I have! She's gone now--and I haven't told her, after all. And I'm left behind, to have it out with this old pump! (_Aloud._) Well, Sir, you've something to say to me?

_Mr. Toov._ (_nervously_). I have--yes, certainly--only it--it's of rather a private nature, and--and perhaps we should be freer from interruption in the waiting-room here.

_Curph._ (_to himself_). I wish I'd thought of that myself--earlier. Well, he doesn't seem very formidable; it strikes me I shan't find it difficult to manage him. (_Aloud._) The waiting-room, by all means.

[_He follows_ Mr. TOOVEY _into the General Waiting-room, and awaits developments_.

END OF SCENE IV.

* * * * *

"DUE SOUTH!"

NOTE.--When I am travelling due South, as I am now, _per_ L. & S. W. R., to join my party, all I require may be summed up in the accompanying "_Mem._," which is to this effect:--

_Mem._--Give me a Pullman car, my favourite beverage, a good cigar, or an old pipe charged with well-conditioned bird's-eye, an amiable companion possessed of sufficient ready money in small change, give me likewise a pack of playing cards, let the gods grant me more than average luck at écarté or spoof, and never can I regret the two hours and forty minutes occupied by the journey from "W't'r'o" to "P'm'th."

To start with, the line to Pinemouth is one of those "lines" that have "fallen," in the pleasantest of "pleasant places." On a broiling summer's day you pass through a wide expanse of landscape, refreshingly painted in Nature's brightest water colours--plenty of colour, plenty of water. All over the sandy plains of Aldershot, boxes of toy soldiers, with white toy tents and the smartest little flags, have been emptied out; and everywhere about the tiny figures may be seen marching, lounging, digging, riding, firing, surveying, performing evolutions to the sound of the warlike trumpet, and generally employed in a sort of undressed rehearsal of such martial business as is incidental to a Great Campaign Drama. Then, lest the spirits of the travelling tourist should rise so high that he might run the chance of "getting a bit above hisself," as horse-dealers graphically express it, he is whirled away from the war-like scene, and is taken through the peaceful grounds of Wokingham. Here to the unwonted military ardour so recently aroused in the bosom of the travelling civilian will be administered a succession of dampers in the shape of attractively-placed and most legibly printed reminders to the effect that "eligible plots" for burial are "still to be let," and that the terms for intending residents in the thriving country town of Necropolis can be obtained on application to Messrs. Somebody and Sons at Suchandsucher Place, London; the tone of these notices suggesting, in a generally festive spirit, that the good old maxim "first come first served" will be strictly observed in all matters of Necropolitan business.

Then we come to fair Southampton Water, with its marine kind of flymen waiting to take you to the boats, and the boats waiting to take you from the flymen to the yachts. On we speed through the New Forest, where those historically inclined remember WILLIAM RUFUS, and others, with a modern political bias, think of WILLIAM HARCOURT; while the grateful novel-devourer remembers that away in the forest resides the authoress of _Lady Audley's Secret_, and many other plots. Here, within ten minutes of our appointed time, is Terminus Number One, East Pinemouth, and, finally, West Pinemouth, which, speaking for myself individually and collectively, I prefer to East Pinemouth; at all events, at this particular time of year. Moreover, it appears that a rapidly increasing number are of my opinion, seeing how house-building, and very good house-building, too, is extending westward, and, alas and alack-a-day, threatening immediate destruction to heather, pine, fir, and forest generally. I sing:--

"How happy could I be with heather If builder were only away!"

No sooner is a house (most of them excellently-planned houses) set up, with garden and lovely view of sea, than down in front of him squats another squatter, up goes another house, the situation is robbed of the charm of privacy, and unless the owner of the first house sits on his own roof or has a special tower built, which erection would probably involve him in difficulties with his neighbours, his view of the sea is reduced to a mere peep, and in course of time will, it is probable, be altogether blocked out. However, as Boys will be Boys, so Builders will be Builders.

One of the chief advantages offered by Pinemouth as a place where a summer holiday may be happily spent, is the facility afforded for getting away from it, in every possible direction; by sea, river, rail, and road. _À propos_ of "road," the fly-drivers, shopkeepers, and livery-stable keepers of P'm'th, are, for the most part, like the fly-drivers, livery-stablers, and shopkeepers at any place which boasts a recognised season. The eccentric visitor, who chooses to come out of the regulation time, must take his chance, and be content with out-of-season manners to suit his out-of-season custom; still, in the words of the immortal bard, "They're all right when you know 'em, _but_ you've got to know 'em fust!"

As to the hiring of flys and midgets, there is a board of rules and regulations stuck up in the railway station and elsewhere, the interpretation whereof may possibly be mastered by those able and willing to devote a few days to the study of its dark sayings.

"What's the meaning of this rule?" I inadvertently ask a ruddy-faced policeman, on whose broad shoulders time unoccupied seems to be weighing somewhat heavily, at the same time pointing to one of the regulations on the board in question.

"Well, Sir," replies the civil constable, in a carefully measured tone, "it is this way"--and then he commences.

* * * * *

I breathe again; it is half an hour since I addressed that ruddy-faced official, from whom, thank goodness, I have at last contrived to escape. He has kept me there, giving me, as it were, a lecture on the black board, telling me what this rule might mean if it were read one way, and what that rule might mean if it were read another way, and what both rules might mean if they were each of them read in totally different ways; and how one was labelled "_a_" (which I saw for myself), and how another was distinguished by being lettered "_b_"; and how he (my constabulary instructor) "wasn't quite sure himself whether his reading of 'em was quite right;" then going over all the paragraphs again in detail, indicating each syllable with his finger, as though he were teaching an infant spelling-class, and finally coming to the conclusion whereat _Bottom_ the Weaver arrived when he surmised that it was all "past the wit of man to understand," and advising me that, on the whole, if any particular case of attempted extortion should happen to arise, I should do well _not_ to appeal to these rules and regulations, but to summon the extortionist before the nearest police magistrate. "But," said he, as if struck by a new light, "it may be that this rule '_a_'"----And here he faced round, in order more closely to inspect the mysterious cryptogram. Taking advantage of his eye being off me for one second, which it had never once been during the previous thirty minutes, I stepped as lightly and rapidly away as my thirteen stone will permit, and fled. I fancied I heard him calling after me that he had discovered something or other; but not even if he had shouted "Stop thief!" should I have paused in my Mazeppa-like career. "Once aboard the lugger," I exclaim to myself, quoting the melodramatic pirate, "and I am free!" So saying, I entered the hospitable gates of my present tenancy, and sank exhausted on the sofa.

_Mem._--Never again ask a policeman to explain strange cab-rules and regulations.

* * * * *

NOT A QUESTION AT ISSUE.

["Mr. GOSSE holds a middle station between the older and the younger schools of criticism. He is neither a distinguished and respectable fossil nor a wild and whirling catherine-wheel."--_Athenæum._]

Oh, luckiest of Critics! What A joy unquestioning to feel On such authority he's not "A wild and whirling catherine-wheel."

And is it such a wild idea To think that clever Mr. GOSSE'll Rejoice he's reckoned not to be a "Respectable, distinguished fossil?"

* * * * *

* * * * *

A LESSON FOR "LABOUR."

["The overwhelming vote of the Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lancashire miners against accepting any reduction, or even submitting the wages question to arbitration, does not encourage any very sanguine hopes of the Nottingham Conference."--_Westminster Gazette._]

"_My sentence is for open war!_" Thus spake Fierce Moloch, when within the marly lake "The Stygian Council" in dark conference met! "The scepter'd king's" advice prevaileth yet, And Mammon's self, who in his pristine might Stooped to the avowal that "all things invite To peaceful counsels," now in stubborn mood Urges resistance--at the cost of blood!

Yes, Mammon, musing on "the settled state Of order," at that dim chaotic date, Speaks, in the mighty-voiced Miltonic way, "Of Peace," and "how in safety best we may Compose our present evils, with regard Of what we are and were." Mammon's award Is now more martial: Mammon, swoln and proud With domination o'er the moiling crowd, Lifts a most arrogant head, and coldly curls An insolent lip against the clod-soul'd churls Whose destiny and duty 'tis to slave 'Twixt cradle comfortless and cheerless grave, To glut his maw insatiate!

Proud is Pelf; But might not Legend lesson Labour's self? "Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in arms!" Comes not the echo loud of wild alarms To Labour's Conference? Violence and wreck, Incendiary hate that sense should check, Mad mob-intimidation, brutal wrath,-- These are strange warders for the pleasant path Of human progress! While they crowd and clash In headlong stubbornness and anger rash, Whilst factories burn, and workmen fall in blood, And women mourn, and children moan for food, Unnumbered multitudes the misery feel Who share not in its making!

Mars' red steel Is sheathed to-day at Arbitration's nod; Hath this no lesson for the milder god? Vulcan, the smithy-toiler, and his crowd Of sooty Cyclops, raging fierce and loud, Impetuous, implacable, whilst Mars, That savage god of sanguinary wars, Awaits the award of Arbiters of Peace! Strange contrast!

"Cease, great hammer-wielder, cease!" Says the Sword-bearer. "Cease this frenzied fray. Try Arbitration--'tis the gentler way, And wiser. I have tried it--shall not you? Call back your Cyclops, let not _them_ imbrue Swart hands in Battle's sanguinary hue. Shall War, now partly driven from the field, Find refuge in the factory, nor there yield To the sage suasion of mild Equity, At whose just Arbitration even I Suspend or drop the sword?"

So Mars, and so All friends of Labour. Raise no stubborn "No!" At Arbitration's offering, seeing that there Lies fairest hope of an adjustment fair 'Twixt clashing claims, which if they "fight it out" In war's wild way may put to utter rout Humanity's fairest hopes. Oh, time enough When Arbitration fails to essay the rough And ruddy road of Mars. Stay, Vulcan stay! Or blameless hosts long-menaced by your fray May have a stern effective word to say! And you, as once of old, though stout and tall, Kicked out of heaven may have a maiming fall!

* * * * *

SURGEON-MAJOR PARKE.

(_Doctor to Stanley's Emin Pasha Relief Expedition. Died September 10, aged 35._)

"Rarest doctor in the world!" Tribute rare from sturdy STANLEY! Skilful, tender, modest, manly! England's flag may well be furled Over the young hero's bier, Whose memory is to England dear. Africa has cost us much. Fortune send us many such!

* * * * *

Mrs. R. says she understands that disaffecting (disinfecting) fluid * * * * *

* * * * *

TO DOCTOR FALBE.

You're not in-_fal'be'_-le, Doctor dear-- Excuse the painful pun, Though you merit treatment e'en more severe For all the ill you've done. You held a nasty cloud of doubt Above our sunlit sky, And now at length we've found you out, Our summer is near gone by.

Yes, a summer indeed we've had this year, In spite of your doleful croak, Though perhaps your early prediction drear Was simply a practical joke-- A wearisome joke that wouldn't die, For every man one met Would remind one of FALBE and his prophecy-- "We're soon to have lots of wet."

But what of the tradesmen who laid in store Of "brollies" and mackintosh On the strength of your hint as to rain galore And unlimited Autumn slosh? Oh, FALBE, if _they_ but got hold of you, What a tune they _would_ perform! There's one prediction we'd warrant true-- You'd find it extremely warm!

* * * * *

* * * * *

THE THREE TARTARS.

(_By One of the "Thirty-six Tyrants" of the Liberal Party._)

HANBURY, BOWLES, and BARTLEY, Talk and wrangle tartly; Sour as unripe cranberry Are BARTLET, BOWLES, and HANBURY; Three most sorrel souls Are HANBURY, BARTLEY, BOWLES! They the blame would fix On the Liberal Thirty-six. As "tyrants," what are we Compared with that "Tartar Three," Who--but I'll be mum:-- "I hear the Tartar drum!" Loudly thumped, and smartly, By HANBURY, BOWLES, and BARTLEY!

* * * * *

Cherchez l'Homme.

["The appearance of a Ladies' Eight on the Thames in the Cookham district has attracted considerable attention.... Mr. R. C. LEHMANN has handled the rudder-lines on more than one occasion, and General HAMMERSLEY has also been out as coxswain."--_Daily News._]

The Ladies' Eight at Cookham rows right well, There's many a crew of men would not get near them; But is it not a saddening truth to tell? The ladies often take a man to steer them!

* * * * *

GOLDEN MEMORIES.

(_By a (not) Dumb Waiter._)

Summers come and Summers go, Sir, As appints the course of Nater: In the winter I'm a grocer, In the Summer I'm a waiter. I'm a waiter at the sea-side; There's the "Grand Hotel" up yonder-- Never hancient Rome or Greece eyed Poet of the Summer fonder.

Though I'm quite self-heddycated, Yet I love the Summer golden; Every gent on whom I've waited Feels 'isself to me beholden; As appropriate verse I quote, Sir, I can watch 'em growing gladder: They're aweer 'ow much I dote, Sir, On the golden light and shadder.

"_Tipped with gold_" the clouds and copses, "_Tipped with gold_" yon arf-awake ox, "_Tipped with gold_" the sheep and wapses, "_Tipped with gold_" the 'arvest 'aycocks; "_Tipped with gold_" the cows as browses, Ditto waves and fish and sea-things, Ditto shops and dwellin'-'ouses, Ditto our hotel and tea-things.

"_Tipped with gold._" It's langwidge splendid, Summing hup the Summer brightly-- Good for Nater, good for men, did Gentlemen but read it rightly. "_TIPPED with gold_" still what I quote is: 'Umble folk should not be proud, Sir,-- Which I 'opes you've marked our notice-- "No gratuities allowed," Sir!

* * * * *

LINES ON (AND OFF) AN ITALIAN MULE.

O dubious hybrid, what your patronymic Or pedigree may be, does not much matter; But if my own attire you mean to mimic, And flaunt the fact that you, too, have a hatter-- Well then, in self-defence I'll pick with you A bone or two.

Perchance you have a motive, deep, ulterior, In donning head-gear borrowed from banditti? You wish to show an intellect superior, (And hide a profile which is not too pretty?) Or is it, simply, you prefer to go _Incognito_?

A transmigrated BALAAM'S self you _may_ be, But still I bar your method of progression; For while I sit, as helpless as a baby, And scale each precipice in steep succession, You scorn the mule-track, and pursue the edge Of ev'ry ledge.

How can I scan with rapt enthusiasm These Alpine heights, when balanced _à la_ BLONDIN, While you survey with bird's-eye view each chasm? I cry _Eyupp! Avanti!_--_you_ respond in Attempts straightway to improvise a "chute" For me, you brute!

_Basta! per Bacco!_ I'll no longer straddle (With cramp in each adductor and extensor) This seat of torture that they call a saddle! _Va via!_ in plain English, get thee hence, or---- On second thoughts, to leave unsaid the rest, I think, were best!

* * * * *

TO MAUDE.

(_In and Out of Church._)

A little saint! At church I see you pray, As if a worldly thought would make you faint, Serenely walking on your heavenly way, A little saint.

And yet--although I would make no complaint.-- You quickly doff the grave to don the gay. Your cheeks aren't wholly innocent of paint, You flirt outrageously the livelong day. Colloquially, dear MAUDE, in fact you ain't I'm thoroughly rejoiced to say A little saint.

* * * * *

LOVE AND LAW.

(_A Fragment from a Modern Romance._)

["It would be distinctly an advantage to girls to serve as clerks in a lawyer's office before they launched forth on the world."--_Weekly Paper._

EDWIN was sad indeed, for all had gone against him. He had lost everything. Even the furniture in the house he occupied was scarcely his--for all he knew, at any moment it might be seized in execution.

"What shall I do?" he asked again, wringing his hands and tearing his hair.

"Cheer up," was the reply, spoken in a soft voice and by a sweet-faced girl. It was ANGELINA.

"And you have come to me in my distress--after I have treated you so badly?" he said, with a flush of shame colouring his hitherto pale face.

"No, darling," returned the golden-haired maiden, looking into his brown eyes with optics of an azure hue. "Do not say that you have behaved badly to me. You wrong yourself; you do, indeed."

"Have I not deserted you?" he asked in a tone of bitter sorrow.

"But only after you had written me letters upon which I could base an action for breach of promise," murmured the forgiving girl.

"But do you propose to proceed upon them?" he asked earnestly.

"Yes, my own. To quote that touching song you so frequently sang to me in the gilded days of the golden past, 'it will be the best for you and best for me.' I shall certainly ask for substantial damages."

"And is there no way to avoid this crushing, this final disaster?" asked the young man, in deep distress.

"Dearest, you know that I have studied the law. Well, I would propose that you should carry out your contract. I have here the form which requires but the registrar's signature to make us man and wife. What do you say to the matter being settled to-morrow?"

"If it must be so, it must," returned EDWIN, in a tone of resignation. "And now, as we are to be married to-morrow, let us dine together. I have an invitation from my aunt at Putney to stay with her until my goods have been seized and sold. I am off. She will extend to you her hospitality."

"Oh, my betrothed, I cannot come." she sobbed. "I am kept here by duty."

"Well, as you will," he replied, carelessly. "But I suppose we meet at noon at the registrar's to-morrow?"

"Yes, for by that time all will be over. The goods will be removed, and I shall be free--free to become your wife."

"But what have you got to do with my property?"

Then came the sorrowful admission.

"Oh, EDWIN, my own. You know I am in a lawyer's office. For the moment I am their guardian. Yes, darling, I am the woman in possession!"

* * * * *

* * * * *

BALLADE OF LOST REPARTEES.

When mirthful humours reign supreme, And heated revellers are prone To make sound wisdom kick the beam, While vain wine-bubble wit alone Has weight, we, mostly, can depone To feeling joy to blankness fade On finding, now our chance has flown, The repartee we might have made.

One prating fool is apt to deem No jesting pretty save his own; Another strives, whate'er the theme, To make all comers, passive grown, "Perform the office of a hone"[*] For sharpening his witty blade;-- Too late below our breath we moan The repartee we might have made.

Of course, it now contrives to seem So patent to the dullest drone; And, if we wake or if we dream, It weighs upon us like a stone, But, unlike, cannot now be thrown; And thus we languish in the shade, Because the world has never known The repartee we might have made.

_Envoi._

My friends, a certain sage has shown What paving-stones below are laid; Now learn that on each blast is blown The repartee we might have made!

[Footnote *:

"_Fungar vice cotis_, acutum Reddere quæ ferrum valet, exsors ipsa secandi." HORACE. _De Arte Poetica._]

* * * * *

THE BURDEN OF BURDON SANDERSON.

["Every organism must have sprung from a unicellular ancestor."--_Dr. Burdon Sanderson's Presidential Address to the British Association._

That life is a sell we most of us know, But Doctor BURDON SANDERSON tells It began in a cell oh! æons ago! And Progress is merely the growth of cells. And is _that_ what you were fashioned for Our "unicellular ancestor"?

"The specific energy of cells" Is a taking phrase, but what does it mean? Is it merely the Life that in most things dwells, Or must we go reading the lines between, To find what you really were fashioned for, Our "unicellular ancestor"?

Words, words, words! What matter if They're scientific and pseudo-oracular. Or, scouting a terminology stiff, Couched in sciolist's plain vernacular! _Do_ they tell us what you were fashioned for, Our "unicellular ancestor"?

BURDON'S burden, like VILLON'S of old Leaves us a prey to doubt and fear. Your meaning and purpose when _shall_ we be told Oh cells--or snows--of yester-year? Or what you truly were fashioned for Our "unicellular ancestor"?

* * * * *

THE MODERN "TENDER" PASSION.--Bimetallism.

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ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

_House of Commons, Monday, September 11._--ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS walking about the Lobby with a new foot-rule obtrusively held in his hand. Thought at first he was going to probe somebody, after the fashion of SWIFT MACNEILL, in rare access of ferocity.

"No," he said, when I asked him if that was his business; "we are presently going to debate question of appointment of Duke of CONNAUGHT to command at Aldershot. I want to know precisely how far out of the line of fighting the Duke was at Tel-el-Kebir. You know CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN'S suave manner. When I put question to him, he'll say, 'How can I tell the Hon. Member, not having a foot rule in my pocket.' As soon as he says that, I whip this out; he will sit confounded, and either we shall get at the truth of a matter with which country is deeply concerned, or CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN must go. I have no personal interest in such a contingency. If there were a vacancy at the War Office, it is, of course, quite possible that Mr. G. might think of me. I fancy in Committee on the Army Estimates I have shown I know a thing or two. But that is neither here nor there. It will be time to decide on the offer when it is made, if indeed prejudices, from which even Liberal Ministry are not free, do not stand in the way. At present I want to know, within a foot or two--no one can say I'm unreasonable--how far off the fighting the Duke of CONNAUGHT stood, and CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN will have to answer the question."

Turned out that ALPHEUS did not find opportunity of bringing in the foot measure. DALZIEL raised question Appointment of Royal Duke to command at Aldershot; a ticklish subject for young Member to take up. DALZIEL'S manner excellent; gave tone to debate, happily preserved throughout; several times ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS brought out foot-rule and shook it at CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN. War Minister, naturally well up in strategy, had observed precaution of placing on his flank his Financial Secretary, WOODALL, V.C. If there was any probing to be done that veteran would receive first onslaught. Thus assured, CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN made admirable defence of a position held in advance to be shaky. Came out of Division Lobby with flying colours and majority of 117.

_Business done._--Army Votes in Committee of Supply.

_House of Lords, Tuesday._--Lords met to-day--at least Lord DENMAN and the Bishop of ELY did. They, facing each other from either side of otherwise empty chamber, heard Royal assent given to number of bills, and House adjourned for seven days. Don't know what we should have done this week in Lords but for DENMAN. Everyone else gone out of town. He still treads the burning deck, his plum-hued skull-cap giving touch of chastened colour to passages leading to and from the House. Severe taste might object that it is a little painful in conjunction with the brilliant red of the leather-covered benches. But whoever responsible for selection of that decoration should have thought of DENMAN'S skull-cap. He was here yesterday; did quite a lot of business; moved Second Reading of his Woman's Suffrage Bill.

"My Lords," he said, rising from the seat which the burly figure of the MARKISS usually fills, "I think there is an opportunity of making substantial progress with this important measure. If your Lordships will be so good as to suspend the Standing Orders, as has just been done in case of Naval Defence Amendment Bill, we could carry the measure through all the stages before your Lordships rise."

For all answer KENSINGTON, on Woolsack in absence of LORD CHANCELLOR pacing the battlements of his lordly castle at Deal, put the question that the Bill be read a second time; declared in same breath "the Not-Contents have it;" and so DENMAN and his little Bill contemptuously swept aside.

"I thought better of them, TOBY," he said, when I met him an hour later still hovering round the closed doors of the House. Over his arm was his rusty old coat; in one hand a stick; in the other a hat that had seen silkier days. There was a tear in his eye, and a tremor in his still musical voice. "It seemed as if a better day had dawned; and that the House of Lords was about at last to recognise in me the worthy son of a father once their pride. Last week the change suddenly came. It was DENMAN this and DENMAN that, and 'we must see what we can do about your Suffrage Bill.' The MARKISS going to his seat on Wednesday gave me a friendly nod and smile. Usually he never sees me except when I get on my legs, when he forthwith moves the Adjournment of House. As for the Whips, I fancied they must have been looking up my speeches in _Hansard_, and learned what they had lost by not being in their place to hear them. 'I trust your lordship is well, and do not find the electric light too glaring?' 'You must take a place by the table so that you can hear SALISBURY and ROSEBERY.' 'We shan't keep you up late on Friday; have arranged to take Division at midnight so that you may get home in good time. But you'll be there, of course?'"

"And were you there?" I asked.

"Of course I was there, and voted in majority against Home-Rule Bill. Came down yesterday prepared to make most of this new and pleasant turn. Got up to ask KIMBERLEY question as to whether postponement of Home-Rule Bill would date from Friday or Saturday. Nice point, you know. Everything depends upon it. No one had discovered point but me. Expected Government and House would be grateful. What happened? KIMBERLEY snubbed me; House sniggered; my Woman's Suffrage Bill, about which Opposition Whips so anxious last week, treated with usual contumely. I propose to deal with Coal Strike; they move the Adjournment, and leave me speechless at the table. Begin to think that all they wanted was my vote to swell majority against Home-Rule Bill. A weary world, TOBY. Saddest of all for neglected statesmen in our gilded Chamber. Should you ever be made a peer take an old man's advice and do everything you can to obscure your native abilities. Once you excite the jealousy of men like the MARKISS, and implant in their bosom suspicion that if they don't look out you may supplant them, you are lost. Perhaps I made a mistake when I admitted FARMER-ATKINSON to my councils. You remember him in the other House as Member for Boston? We had a plan----but no matter. Still, if FARMER-ATKINSON had led the Commons and I the Lords, you would have seen something. Perhaps we were too reckless in our open colloguing in the Lobby. GLADSTONE smelt a rat. SALISBURY saw it moving in the air; the instincts of self-preservation triumphed over political animosity and the rivalry of a lifetime. They put their heads together; the coffers of the secret-service money were depleted; the illimitable resources of the State were in other ways drawn upon. Where is FARMER-ATKINSON now? I am left solitary and friendless. For a while the Unholy Alliance triumphs; but they will find they have not done with DENMAN yet."

The old gentleman took off his skull-cap; carefully wrapped it up; hid its plumage in his tail-pocket; and pressing his hat over his brow, shook his grey head, and walked wearily down the corridor.

_Business done._--House of Lords adjourned for a week.

_Saturday_, 2.40 A.M.--"Who goes home?" I hear the cry resounding through the Lobby. Well, if no one minds, I think I will. Been here since half-past three yesterday. For the matter of that, been here since the 31st of January. Coming down again at noon to sit till SQUIRE OF MALWOOD can see his prospect clear to bringing about Adjournment next Saturday.

_Business done._--Mostly all.

* * * * *

Calf-Love.

Calf-love is a passion most people scorn, Who've loved, and outlived, life and love's young morn; But there _is_ a calf-love too common by half, And that's the love of the Golden Calf!

* * * * *

Chary of Charing.

["The occupation for women exclusively is that of charing."--_Daily Paper._]

Whilst year by year men kinder grow. And from employments won't debar Woman, It's quite astonishing to know Man's everything except a charwoman.

* * * * *

COMMERCIAL CON.

_Q._ Why is a modern advertiser like an ancient knight-errant?

_A._ Because he is inspired by the spirit of "ad"-venture.

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Transcriber's Note:

_x_ denotes italic text.

[OE] denotes an OE ligature, PH[OE]BE (PHOEBE)

Page 135: 'hallo'd' corrected to 'hollo'd', to match the others.

("They hunted and they hollo'd, an' the next thing they did find")

Page 142: [Footnote *: "_Fungar vice cotis_, acutum Reddere quæ ferrum valet, exsors ipsa secandi." HORACE. _De Arte Poetica._]

Translation: "I will perform the function of a whetstone, which is about to restore sharpness to iron, though itself unable to cut."

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