"You are very good. And now, à propos of your journal, will you permit me to pay a return compliment?"
"Certainly," we replied. "You have noticed an improvement in our columns?"
"Unquestionably I have," returned Mr. BROWN, emphatically. "I have observed that of late you have given much interesting matter in the body of your paper that heretofore used to be reserved for the pages exclusively devoted to advertisements. I congratulate you!"
And with a courteous wave of his hand and a bow of dismissal, the Eminent Pillar of Commerce delicately intimated to us that our interview was at an end.
'ARRY ON THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY.
DEAR CHARLIE,—Your faviour to 'and in doo course, as the quill-drivers say;
Likeways also the newspaper cuttins enclosed. You're on Rummikey's lay.
Awful good on yer, CHARLIE, old chummy, to take so much trouble for me;