and other like
distinguished personages, whose callings were proudly set forth,
presumably to show that they were not mere adventurers. An enlightened
press, if we may believe the circulars, backed up this "association."
"Its managers are men of the strictest integrity," said one Milwaukee
paper; "We believe they will discharge all their obligations to
purchasers of tickets with punctuality and integrity," said a second;
"An institution above suspicion, and worthy in every respect of public
patronage. The managers we believe to be honest, reliable, and
trustworthy," said a third. "The safest investment of the kind in
America," said one Chicago paper, unless the circular falsifies;
"Considered as a sure success," said a second. One New York paper is
quoted as commending the enterprise, and another as thinking that
"$30,000 for $2.00 is worth chancing." But when the thing went to
pieces, and B. Flat escaped on bail, it was announced that "the swindle
had been exposed by the press," as indeed it was.

* * * * *

PEGASUS IN HARNESS.

The muse that in our day quits Parnassus to pay gossiping visits among
the pill-kneaders, and to lounge in the haunts of trade, has of late
been pressed into service by the guild of beggars. Perceiving,
doubtless, that fortunes are got in teas, trousers, and tooth washes by
sheer dint of literary advertising, the mendicants too have quaffed the
Pierian spring, and now leave their sheets of verses at our doors for
the accommodating price of "whatever you choose to give." The rogues
have learned wisdom by experience. When a long-winded legislator
troubles his fellow Solons with an unwelcome speech, he is sometimes
gently rebuked by cries of "Oh, print the rest!" That is what the
professional beggars have learned to do. Habitually cut off in their
tale of woe at the door sill by an unfeeling "There's nothing for you!"
they have learned to print the rest, and now before Dora the doormaid
can utter her formula of rejection, a neat circular is in her hand, on
which is printed: "Please give this to the lady or gentleman. Will call
in an hour."

Such, in fact, was the inscription on a printed page left at the Maison
Quilibet this very morning, purporting to be a "copy of verses by a
party of mechanics," as indeed one may easily believe that it is, from
the internal evidence of such stanzas as these:

For many weeks we work have sought,
But work