let's hope the shadows will be speedily dispelled.

* * * * *

HOW IT'S DONE.

(_A HANDBOOK TO HONESTY._)

NO. VIII.-"SOLD AGAIN!"

SCENE--_An Auction-room, breathing an air of solid, if
somewhat Philistinish suburban comfort and respectability.
Amidst a labyrinthine accumulation of household
furniture, a number of people are dispersed, many of them
substantial-looking middle-class male and female "buyers,"
with lists and lead-pencils, on the look-out for "bargains," a
sprinkling of the ancient race, and an outer fringe of casual,
lounging, lookers-on. The gentleman in the rostrum is a
voluble personage, with a rapidly roving eye, of preternatural
quickness in picking up "bids." Attendants, shaggy men,
in soiled shirt-sleeves, with saw-dusty whiskers, and
husky voices. A pleasant-faced Paterfamilias, and his
"Good lady," are discovered inspecting a solidly-built,
well-seasoned, age-toned chest of mahogany drawers._

_Paterfamilias_ (_sotto voce_). Just what you want, my dear, as far as
I can see. What do _you_ think?

[Illustration]