t Tom and the otter."

_I_ (_hopefully_). I don't know where it is.

_She._ I think it's in the dining-room, and the Fairy Bluebell
couldn't get it herself because she was only a _little_ girl really.

As I say, there are a lot of people, and many of them, doubtless,
readers of this paper, who understand all about fairies. I want to ask
them, as one poor old hard-worked man to another, whether this is
the proper way for a fairy to behave. There seems to be a lack of
delicacy--and shall I say shyness?--about it.

EVOE.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Mrs. McNicol._ "FOUND A POUN' NOTE IN THE STREET,
DONAL'? THAT'S GUID!"

_Her Husband (sadly.)_ "AY, BUT MCTAVISH SAW ME PICK IT UP, AN' I OWE
HIM TWENTY-TWO AN' SAXPENCE."]

* * * * *

=Our Tactful Orators.=

"At the close they asked President ----, who was in the chair, to
present a very handsome umbrella to Mr. ----.

In a few well-chosen words the Chairman said he trusted that
Mr. ----, while journeying through life, would be successful in
warding off many a shower with his umbrella, but they all hoped
they would be showers of goodwill."--_Trade Paper._

* * * * *

"This is great fun and mystifies your friends. Buy a few and you
will be the cleverest fellow in your district.

Our leaders are 'Stink Bomb' (make bad smell when broken). Re. 1 a
box.

'Sneeze Powder' (makes everybody sneeze when blown in the air) Re.
1 a bottle."

_Advt. in Indian Paper._

Who says the East has no sense of humour?

* * * * *

[Illustration: THROUGH THE GOAL-POSTS; OR, THE END OF A PERFECT
SCRUM.]

* * * * *

=THE WHITE SPAT.=

When it is remembered how large a part has been played in history by
revolutionary and political songs it is both lamentable and strange
that at the present time only one of the numerous political faiths has
a hymn of its own--"The Red Flag." The author of the words owes a good
deal, I should say, to the author of "Rule Britannia," though I am
inclined to think he has gone one better. The tune is that gentle old
tune which we used to know as "Maryland," and by itself it rather
suggests a number of tired sheep waiting to go through a gate than a
lot of people thinking very redly. I fancy the author realised this,
and he has got over it by putti