"You put me in rather a delicate position," I returned with a smile. "Of course, I do not know the exact amount of the takings of the gentlemen to whom you have referred, but personally, I should consider my own practice more lucrative than theirs." "Well, I _do_ know their receipts," said my interviewer, "so I can estimate yours. Thank you very much. And now is there any other source of income omitted? Have you houses or shops, or anything of that sort?" "As a barrister, I am prevented from trading," I replied, again with hauteur. And then I continued: "I am afraid you take too deep an interest in the commercial side of my career. What you should wish to learn, as my introducer to the American public, is my opinion on matters of the day. Now, for instance, I believe----" "Pardon me," interrupted my visitor, rather brusquely. "But you have told me all I desire to know." I bowed, and then I asked in what publication I might expect to see the interview. "See the interview!" exclaimed the caller. "What interview?" "Why," I explained, rather angrily, "the interview between you and me. You are a journalist, are you not?" "A journalist! Certainly not! What made you think that?" "Then, Sir," I cried, indignantly, "what right had you to force yourself into my presence, and waste my time in asking a number of useless, and, I may add, impertinent questions?" "I had the right, and the questions were neither useless nor impertinent." "Explain yourself, Sir." "With pleasure;" and then he added, with a smile that did not provoke its fellow on my own countenance, "you must know that I am an assessor of income tax!" Comment would be superfluous! (_Signed_) A. BRIEFLESS, JUN. _Pump-handle Court, October 10, 1895._ * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.