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[Illustration: _Kindly Hostess_ (_to nervous reciter who has broken
down in "The Charge of the Light Brigade"_). "NEVER MIND MR. TOMPKINS,
JUST TELL US IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS."]
* * * * *
to have known--well, well, we shall be wiser another time. Now let's
go home."
Poor old Chum; I _had_ known. From a large coat pocket I produced a
chain.
"_Dash_ it," said Chum, looking up at me pathetically, "you might
almost _want_ to get rid of me."
He was chained, and the label tied on to him. Forgive me that label,
Chum; I think that was the worst offence of all. And why should I
label one who was speaking so eloquently for himself; who said from
the tip of his little black nose to the end of his stumpy black tail,
"I'm a silly old ass, but there's nothing wrong in me, and they're
sending me away!" But according to the regulations--one must obey the
regulations, Chum.
I gave him to the guard--a delightful man. The guard and I chained him
to a brake or something. Then the guard went away, and Chum and I had
a little talk ...
After that the train went off.
Good-bye, little dog. A.A.M.
* * * * *
"Lady Strachie wishes to thoroughly recommend her permanent
Caretaker and Husband."--_Advt. in "Morning Post."_
Lord STRACHIE should be a proud man to-day.
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