(_Rather more than a Fairy Story._)
JOHN SMITH, of London, sat in front of his fire pondering over the fact
that, at a great sacrifice to the interests of his native city, the coal
dues had been abolished, and yet his bill for fuel was no lighter. He
watched the embers as they died away, when all of a sudden a small creature
appeared before him. He could not account for her presence, and did not
notice from whence she came. But she was there, sure enough, and began to
address him.
"JOHN SMITH, of London," she began, in a small but admirably distinct
voice, "I am the Fairy Domestic Economy, and I have come to warn you that,
unless you wake up, you will come to grief."
"Wake up?" queried J.S. "Wake up about what?"
"Why, the election of the London County Council, to be sure!" returned the
Fairy, impatiently. "Here, the election is close upon you, and the chances
are twenty to one that you will let it pass without recording your vote."
"What election?"
"Bless the man!" exclaimed the Fairy. "He does not know that the Members of
the L.C.C., the Masters of London, are to be chosen on Saturday, the 5th of
March, and will from that date remain in power for four years!"
And then the Fairy showed him the possible future, explaining that it was
in his hands to alter it. The vision she conjured up before him seemed
intensely idiotic. Everything was to be done for nothing. There were to be
free railways, free tramways, free bakeries, free butchers' shops, free
ginger-beer manufactories, free clothiers, free hosiers, free boot-makers,
free gas companies, free waterworks--in fact, everything was to be gratis.
"But somebody must pay for it!" said JOHN SMITH, of London.
"Why, of course," returned the Fairy, "and you are to be the paymaster. You
will have to pay about five shillings in the pound as a commencement, with
additional crowns to follow!"
"But how am I to avoid this fate?" cried JOHN SMITH, in a tone of genuine
alarm.
"By voting for the Moderates, and doing your best to keep out the
Progressives. And, mind, don't forget my warning."
And then the Fairy disappeared. A few moments later, and poor JOHN SMITH
found himself sprawling upon the floor.
"Why, I do believe I have been asleep!" he exclaimed.
And then he woke up in good earnest, and hurried off to the polling
stations, and voted for the Moderate candidates.
At least it is to be hoped he will!
* * * * *
[Illustration: A TRAGEDY ON THE GREAT NORTHERN.
SCENE--_A Third-Class Carriage._ TIME--_Three Hours before the next
Station._ DRAMATIS PERSONÆ--_Jones and Robinson._
"IT'S THE _LAST_!--AND IT'S A TÄNDSTICKOR. IT'LL ONLY STRIKE ON THE BOX!"
"STRIKE IT ON THE BOX, THEN;--BUT FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, BE CAREFUL!"
"YES; BUT, LIKE A FOOL, I'VE JUST PITCHED THE BOX OUT OF WINDOW!"]
* * * * *