ly one name had been marked in
each village, it doubtless being assumed that every one in these places
being on intimate terms with his neighbour, it was unnecessary to waste
stamps and paper in making the Corporation known to two people where one
would answer the same purpose.

He was curious enough to read one of the circulars, and he was on the
whole pleased with its contents. It was as follows:--

"Select Agency Corporation, Shy Street, Liverpool.--Reverend Sir," (for
the ladies there were other circulars headed "Dear Madam"), "The
approach of winter, with all the hardships that bitter season entails on
those whom Providence has not blessed with sufficient means, induces us
to call your attention to an unusual opportunity for providing yourself
and those dear to you with a most desirable comfort at a merely nominal
outlay. Having acquired an enormous bankrupt stock of _winter clothing_
of most excellent material, and suitable for all measures, we wish, in
testimony to our respect for the profession of which you are an honoured
representative, to acquaint you _privately_ with the fact before
disposing of the stock in the open market. For L3 we can supply you
with a complete clerical suit of the best make, including overcoat and
gloves, etcetera, etcetera, the whole comprising an outfit which would
be cheap at L10. In _your_ case we should have no objection to meet you
by taking L2 with your order and the balance _any time within six
months_. Should you be disposed to show this to any of your friends, we
may say we shall be pleased to appoint you our agent, and to allow you
ten per cent, on all sales effected by you, which you are at liberty to
deduct from the amount you remit to us with the orders. We subjoin full
list of winter clothing for gentlemen, ladies, and children. Money
orders to be made payable to Cruden Reginald, Esquire, Secretary, 13,
Shy Street, Liverpool."

"Hullo!" said Reginald, looking up excitedly, "don't fold up any more of
those, boy. They've made a mistake in my name and called me Cruden
Reginald instead of Reginald Cruden. It will have to be altered."

"Oh, ah. There's on'y a couple of billions on 'em printed; that won't
take no time at all," said Master Love, beginning to think longingly of
_Tim Tigerskin_.

"It won't do to send them out like that," said Reginald.

"Oh yes, it will. Bless you, what's the odds if you call me Tommy Love
or Love Tommy? I knows who you mean. An