There 1 whs in a back street off the Marylebone-road, with a loaf of bread and that extra crust under my arm, calculating that 1 had just twenty minutes in which to catch the last train to Kensington. I walked for about half a mile dimly trying to estimate the consequences of posting that letter without that stamp as I went. All at once 1 came across a burly man standing at his shop-door and smoking a pipe. He was a common, unpleasant-look ing person, but in my despair 1 felt I could cringe to anybody if there wag a chance of yetting out of my trouble. I walked up ami—yes, I did—l touched my hat as I said, " I beg your pardon, but would you mind obliging me with a postage stamp ? " " Beggin' yourn guv nor,'' came the reply ; " but 1 only keeps stamps for my customers.''

I took him at that. It was a gleam of I sunshine at last. I hinted meekly that I Would like to become a eu.-tomer. 1 had not I he faintest idea of what he had to sell, but I thought 1 couli perhaps buy a trifle that might come in handy at some time. .So 1 followed him into the shop. He was it bird fancier, or something in that way- Informed me that he hud had dealings with the I'rmce of Wales. Then bltirtly inquired if I would prefer a sinking canity or a leelle doru' There was no help tor U. I said I would have the canary. At the worst 1 could let it 1:0 when I gut out side. 1 hit upon a dingy little thing, in a dingier cage, and inquired the price. " Five an' a tanner buys it, guv'nor, cage and all,'' he -aid. I bough*, it, cage and all, and then 1 referred to the postage -tamp. The dealer made a long search. He looked carefully behind the dog kennels under the bird cages, on the tup of the rabbit hutches, and inside the chicken coops. Then he came back and said mourn lully that he was blest it they'd got one left.
