FRED HEARTY
THE NAPOLEON OF GREENGROCERS

ALFRED HEARTY
THE CAESAR OF FRUITERERS

ALFRED HEARTY
THE PRINCE OF POTATO MERCHANTS

HEARTY'S TWO-SHILLING PINEAPPLE
TRY IT IN YOUR BATH

HEARTY'S JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES
GENERAL ALLENBY EATS THEM

THE GERMANS FIGHT FOR
HEARTY'S BRUSSELS SPROUTS

As the six animals filed past, Mr. Hearty was conscious that hundreds
of eyes were gazing in his direction. He read one sign after another
as if hypnotised, then he read them again. Scarcely had the animals
passed him, when the pineapple swung round leading his donkey, the
others immediately followed. As they came back on the other side of
the way, that nearest to Mr. Hearty, he had the benefit of reading
further details about the wonderful properties of the fruit and
vegetables he retailed. The second set of exhortations to the
housewives of Putney ran:

EAT HEARTY'S FILBERTS, OH! GILBERT,
THE NUT
NUT-CRACKERS WITH EVERY BAG

HEARTY'S FRENCH BEANS
SAVED VERDUN

TRY HEARTY'S JUICY CABBAGES
THEY CURE BALDNESS

THE FOOD CONTROLLER RECOMMENDS CARROTS
TRY HEARTY'S--I HAVE

ALFRED HEARTY
KNOWN AS PINEAPPLE ALF

IF YOU DON'T BUY YOUR VEGETABLES
FROM ALFRED HEARTY
YOU WILL BE WHAT I AM

The last-named was particularly appreciated, everybody being able to
see the joke and, thinking that no one else had been so clever, each
took infinite pains to point it out to his neighbour.

At first Mr. Hearty went very white, then, realising that the crowd
was laughing at him, and that he was being rendered ridiculous, he
flushed crimson,--turning round he walked into the shop. There was a
feeling in his throat and eyes that reminded him of what he had felt
as a child after a storm of crying. His brain seemed deadened. From
out the general hum he heard a boy's shrill voice enquiring the
whereabouts of his mate, and the mate's reply was heard in the
distance.

Suddenly a new sensation dwarfed that of the donkeys.

"Here's another! here's another!" yelled a shrill voice.

The crowd looked up the High Street towards the bridge. With stately
lope a camel was pursuing its majestic way. On its back was an
enormous water-melon, through which appeared the head of the driver
shaded by leaves, a double stalk concealing his legs.

From the shelter of the double brass-rail Mr. Hearty watched the camel
as if fascinated. The donkeys had come to a standstill outside the
shop. Behind him sto