One way to tell a beggar who has been on the road a long time is to employ the slang of the road, which few people can do. When a beggar came to my door the other day, he first asked for a drink of water. I gave him this, and had a penny ready in my hand to give him when he returned the glass. I may as well say here that I never refuse these men a penny, poor as I am, and whatever he is to my judgment. If I think he is a working man, he gets the penny out of pity and sympathy; and, if I judge him to be a real beggar, I give it to him out of admiration. However, this man drank the water and then--not to my surprise--asked for a mouthful of something to eat. With a smile I gave him the penny and prepared to shut the door. But this man was a true beggar, for getting a penny so easy, without having to talk for it, emboldened him; so he began in a ready voice to lament his old clothes, and to ask me if I could assist him with others. "Look here," I said, with deliberation, and looking him straight in the face--"Look here, matey; if I could patter as good as you I'd go on the toe-be to-morrow." For a moment he seemed taken by surprise, and then he drew his hand down over his face, in an attempt to wipe out a smile; but it was of no use, for the next moment he stood grinning from ear to ear. "I see you know the biz, gov'nor," he said, going away; "but you know very well that sixteen farthings for the feather takes some getting." WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD. PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH * * * * * Plays by John Galsworthy JOY STRIFE THE SILVER BOX Plays by John Galsworthy 1 vol., crown 8vo, 6s. At all Booksellers. SECOND IMPRESSION * * * * * A NEW VOLUME By R. B. Cunninghame Graham FAITH By R. B. Cunninghame Graham Crown 8vo, 6s. "One realises that this author stands out from among his fellows, since Stevenson died, as the embodiment of one thing in literature ... that rare thing, charm.... Full of pleasing whimsicality, of literary distinction, of quaint ironical philosophy ... for all readers who can appreciate literary grace and ironical humour." _Athenaeum._ * * * * * H. W. Nevinson's New Book ESSAYS IN FREEDOM "The author is one of our best prose writers with a magnificent nervous force and reserve, a true and natural stylist. In each one of these thumbnail impressions the man is reflected. That, in itself, is a great charm. It is life, not fictitious romance, which attracts Mr. Nevinson. He has travelled much; witnessed many things, seen men and life in a thousand different aspects. What he says is not fiction.... Brilliant, scholarly impressions.... Clothed in a true literary mind, it must appeal--at once through heart and brain--to all who like the good English word written by a man who is, in soul and blood, a true Elizabethan."--_Observer._ Demy 8vo, 6s. net.