ave read this conversation, almost word for
word, somewhere?

_Author._ No, I think not.

[C] _Editor._ The description of the tunnel seems to have some reference
to a recent flooding of the Metropolitan Railway?

_Author._ No, I think not.

[D] _Editor._ Surely I have read this wonderfully graphic description of
a flight of steps somewhere before?

_Author._ No, I think not.

[E] _Author._ Stop, stop, this is disgraceful! Why into about a dozen
lines you have compressed two-thirds of my story! I had pages, and
pages, and pages of slaughter! If you do not print them in full, I am
sure the public will be disappointed!

_Editor._ No, I think not!

* * * * *

A RISE IN BALLOONS.--It would seem that Aerostation, with an eye to
affairs, has at length advanced to a possibility within the range of
practical enterprise. Messrs. JOVIS and MALLET, in their late balloon
ascent from Paris, were accompanied by two Guinea-Pigs. Had these
partakers of their voyage been deputed to attend that expedition in the
interest, as Directors, of an Aerial Navigation Company? And did they,
in their official capacity, get the customary guineas, and enjoy the
lunch provided as usual for their refreshment in the discharge of their
arduous duties? If so, of course, it can't be said that a balloon was a
place where those Guinea-Pigs had no business. The Balloon also
contained two Pigeons; but these perhaps were birds of a different
feather from Shareholders in a Joint-Stock speculation.

* * * * *

[Illustration: GETTING OUT OF IT.

"WHERE _ARE_ YOU GOING, GEORGE? THE OMNIBUS WILL BE HERE DIRECTLY, AND
WE'RE ALL READY TO START."

"YES, DEAREST! A--I FORGOT TO TELL YOU--I WAS TO MEET BROWN AT THE CLUB
ABOUT _THOSE SHARES_, YOU KNOW, _UNLESS HE TELEGRAPHED TO THE CONTRARY_.
MOST _IMPORTANT_! BUT DON'T TROUBLE ABOUT ME--I'LL GET DOWN BY A LATER
TRAIN, IN TIME FOR SUPPER."]

* * * * *

A "GOOD GUN."

[Illustration: A "GOOD GUN."

S-L-SB-RY. "I SAY, OLD FELLOW, I WISH YOU'D COME AND JOIN US, AFTER
LUNCH!!"

H-RT-NGT-N. "WELL--ER--FACT IS--I'M WAITING TO SEE IF MY PARTY'S COMING
UP!!"]

* * *

SCENE--_The Moors. A Shooting Party at Lunch._

_Sm-th (throwing himself down)._ Oh! I am so tired!

_B-lf-r (stretching himself languidly)._ So am I!

_Sm-th._ Oh, _you_ are _always_ tired, aren't you? Look so, anyhow.
Haven't been exe