re the
appearance of the next number! The future never looked blacker and more
hopeless. I believe I am the most unfortunate man on earth."

[Illustration: The Doctor.]

"I fancy you are wrong," put in the Doctor. "I think my look-out worse
than yours. Sold my practice seven years ago to flutter on the Stock
Exchange. Lost my money in seven minutes, and have never had a patient
since. I went to West Slocum (my old home) the other day, and found the
place occupied by three Doctors, and the local Undertaker told me there
was not room enough for one! Talk about luck, I am the unluckiest dog in
the world!"

[Illustration: The Actor who has his Head turned with Applause.]

"I am not so sure of that," said the Actor, "here have I been 'resting'
for the last twelve months, and it seems just as likely as not that I
shall continue the operation until '94. I have tried everything in Town
and the Provinces, and there isn't an opening anywhere. My fate is about
the worst of the lot."

[Illustration: The Artist.]

"Not so bad as mine," grumbled the Artist. "Haven't sold a single
picture since the Jubilee year, and can't afford to pay the frame-maker.
My studio is full of paintings, and the dealers say that there isn't a
single canvas amongst the lot but what would be refused admission to an
Exhibition of Sign-boards! Don't know how I should have kept body and
soul together if it hadn't been for an opportune loan from one who in
happier times was, in my employment as a model. Talk about prospects!
Look at mine!"

[Illustration: Bulls and Bears. City Men.]

"Well, come, you are better off than I am," said the City Man. "If I
hadn't now and again to appear before the Registrar in the Bankruptcy
Court, I don't know what I should do with my time! I am stone broke.
That's about it--stone broke! Knocked out of the 'House,' and without a
scrap of credit: I am done for!"

And it was agreed that none of them had any prospects. Then they
separated, or rather, were on the eve of separating.

"By the way--fancy forgetting to do it!" said one of them.

And then they rectified the omission, and wished one another, "A Happy
New Year!"

[Illustration: The latest Kangaroo Development.]

* * * * *

[Illustration: DRAWN BLANK.

_Huntsman._ "HOW IS IT YOU NEVER HAVE ANY FOXES HERE NOW?"

_Keeper_ (_who has orders to shoot them_). "PHEASANTS HAVE EAT 'EM ALL!"]

* * * * *