dency to cross the
border-line. No returns. I say, "Sell." M.T. Coffer Co. not very promising.
(294 stk.; lim. pref., 19; mortg. deb., 44.) Clear out, if possible. Tight
Rates Ry. Co. must be bought. But enough of this. All that is necessary is
that correspondents should send remittances. The rest may be left to me.

CROESUS.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE FLOODS. A FARMER'S DREAM.]

* * * * *

QUITE A LIBEL'Y PROSPECT!

(_Or what may be expected after a recent Verdict._)

SCENE--_An Editor's Room._ Editor _and_ Chief Sub. _discovered in
conversation._

_Editor._ And I think you have asked the Solicitors who have threatened us
with proceedings to be in attendance?

_Chief Sub._ Yes, Sir. They are below--shall I send them up?

_Ed._ If you please. One by one; and kindly impress upon them the value of
my time.

_Chief Sub._ Certainly. But I think you will find they will get over their
business pretty speedily. After they have gone, no doubt you would like to
look at the Contents Bill, Sir?

_Ed._ Yes, please; and now send up the Lawyers.

[_Exit_ Chief Sub., _when the_ Editor _returns to his writing, until
interrupted by_ First Solicitor.

_First Solor._ Sorry to intrude upon you when you seem to be busy, but it
was your own idea that I should look you up.

_Ed._ Entirely. And now, Sir, perhaps you will kindly explain of what your
client has to complain.

_First Solor._ Certainly. You said of the senior member of the Bounding
Brothers of Bohemia, that, "although a very marvel of strength and grace,
he could scarcely, after fifty years service in the ring, be described as a
trapeze-practising acrobat."

_Ed._ Well, surely that is a most complimentary allusion to his
personality! What does he want more than to be "a marvel of grace and
strength"?

_First Solor._ You say he can scarcely be described as a
"trapeze-practising acrobat."

_Ed._ Well, can he? Does he ever practise on the trapeze?

_First Solor._ Well, no. But he might if he liked! You see his chief
business is to stand at the base of the pyramid, at the apex of which is
his smallest and lightest Bounding Brother. But he might use the trapeze, I
repeat, if he liked.

_Ed._ If what I hear is correct--it would have to be a strong one?

_First Solor._ Certainly--an extra strong one. We don't deny that our
client weighs over twenty stone. But there, as we can accept no
explan