ABOUT the same time, I encountered a man in the street, whom I had not seen for six or seven years; and something like this talk followed.

I said-- 'But you used to look sad and oldish; you don't now.

Where did you get all this youth and bubbling cheerfulness?
Give me the address.' He chuckled blithely, took off his shining tile, pointed to a notched pink circlet of paper pasted into its crown, with something lettered on it, and went on chuckling while I read, 'J.

B----, UNDERTAKER.' Then he clapped his hat on, gave it an irreverent tilt to leeward, and cried out-- 'That's what's the matter! It used to be rough times with me when you knew me--insurance-agency business, you know; mighty irregular.

Big fire, all right--brisk trade for ten days while people scared; after that, dull policy-business till next fire.