is retort. "Yah! hairy-nose!" he
said, when the reply was properly finished and polished. And then _he_
chuckled, while the other thought it over. The hairy-nosed wombat
thought it over and the common wombat thought it over (chuckling the
while) for some hours without arriving at any more epigrams. After that
they went into their dens to take a rest. And to this day it is a matter
of dispute as to which has the best of that chaffing match: and the
hairy-nosed wombat is as far off a brilliant reply to the common wombat
as ever, while, of course, the common wombat need not begin to think of
another witticism until the hairy-nosed wombat invents, constructs and
delivers his. Which is why they never speak to one another now, as
anybody may see for himself in proof of the anecdote, if he feel
inclined to doubt it. Both are good--tempered and affable in their way;
but while they still have this portentous combat of wits on hand they
can't afford much time and attention for visitors. The common wombat
still meditates and chuckles inwardly over his victory, and the
hairy-nosed wombat is thinking hard, and mustn't be disturbed. It is
difficult to imagine what may be the end of the affair, or when the
minds of both the wombats may be free to attend to the friendly
greetings of visitors; in the meantime, it is well that the reason for
their preoccupation may be known. They are not proud. The intelligence
of the marsupials is in some sort redeemed by the wombat, who is given a
slow and inelastic gait to accord with his mental weight, while the
frivolous kangaroo bounces about the world like a thing of india-rubber,
and plays a game of leap-frog with all Nature.

[Illustration]

_Portraits of Celebrities at Different Times of their Lives._

MISS IZA DUFFUS HARDY.

Miss Iza Duffus Hardy, only daughter of the late Sir Thomas Duffus
Hardy, was educated chiefly at home, and began writing stories at a very
early age. Amongst the many popular novels she has published are "A New
Othello," "Glencairn," "Only a Love Story," "A Broken Faith," "Hearts or
Diamonds," and "Love in Idleness." She has also published two well-known
volumes of American reminiscences, "Between Two Oceans" and "Oranges and
Alligators." The opening tale of our present number, "In the Shadow of
the Sierras," is an excellent specimen of her abilities as a
story-writer.

[Illustration: AGE 3.

_From a Drawing._]

[Illustration: AGE 14.

_From a Photograp