to lead him to honest ways and
teach him industry, and that he (Speug) with the aid of one or two
friends would do his best for the reformation of Bailie MacConachie, and
in this way return good for evil, as Mr. Byles, assistant in the
department of mathematics, used to teach. And the school waited with
expectation for the missionary effort upon which Speug with the
assistance of Howieson and Bauldie, was understood to be engaged.

Next Friday evening an art committee met in a stable-loft on the
premises of Mr. McGuffie senior, and devoted their skill--which was
greater than they ever showed in their work--to the elaboration of a
high-class advertisement which was to be shown round a certain district
in Muirtown, and which they hoped would stimulate the custom at Bailie
MacConachie's shop. Howieson had provided two large boards such as might
be hung one on the breast and one on the back of a man, and those Speug
had cut to the proper size and pasted over with thick white paper. Upon
them Bauldie, who had quite a talent for drawing, wrought diligently for
a space of two hours, with the assistance and encouragement of his
friends, and when they set the boards up against the wall the committee
was greatly pleased. Speug read aloud the advertisement with much
unction--

_CHEAP TEA! CHEAP TEA! CHEAP TEA!_

SALE OF BANKRUPT STOCK
AT
BAILIE MACCONACHIE'S
_THE FAMOUS ITALIAN WAREHOUSEMAN_,
49, ST. ANDREW STREET.

ELEVENPENCE-HALFPENNY PER POUND.

_Sale Begins at One o'clock on Saturday._
GLASS OF WHISKY FREE TO ALL PURCHASERS.
_Poor People Specially Invited._
_Be early._ _Be early._

BAILIE MACCONACHIE'S
_CHEAP TEA! CHEAP TEA! CHEAP TEA!_

The three artists contained themselves till they came to the last "Cheap
Tea!" then Jock knocked Bauldie down among the hay, and Speug fell on
the top of them, and they rolled in one bundle of delight, arising from
time to time to study the advertisement and taste its humour.

"'Bankrupt stock!'" cried Bauldie, "and him an Elder of the Kirk!
That'll learn him to be complaining of his windows."

"'Poor people specially invited,' and calls himself an Italian
warehouseman. I would give half a dozen ginger-beer to see Lady
Kilsp