322 " MY KINGDOM FOR A HORSE ! " 



was to show a future condition of our country, similar 

 to that which prevails in Russia now. This big cartoon 

 comprised all the leading men of the day in convict's 

 garb and doing their exercise in a prison yard. It was a 

 wonderful success, and ought some day to be reproduced. 

 In that number there was given a specimen " Contents 

 Bill " of The Star as it was supposed to be in the terrible 

 times that were coming. It ran thus : 



EXECUTION OF BLOODY BALFOUR 

 THE MURDERER OF OUR BRETHREN 



BROUGHT TO THE 



FAGGOT AND THE FLAME 



HE EXPIRES IN HORRIBLE AGONY 



IRELAND NOBLY AVENGED 



SCENES AT THE FUNERAL PYRE 



WHAT PRICE THE TORIES Now ? 



CAPTAIN COE'S FINALS 



Even The Star was amused at this. 



Certainly we ended that year very well indeed, not- 

 withstanding the losses that had been incurred in law 

 costs. People were beginning to appreciate Phil May at 

 last, and we only looked forward to the time when he would 

 return permanently to England. Some there were who 

 scarcely realised that he had ever been away. One such 

 was a needy old actor who used to frequent the Strand 

 and often repair to Romano's bar in search of some kindly 

 friend. Just before leaving England for Australia 

 Phil May went to Romano's to say good-bye to any 

 friends there. The waif referred to was among those 

 present, and he simply said : " Phil, old man, lend me 

 half-a-crown, will you ? " Needless to say, his request 

 was granted. 



Now when Phil May paid his first return visit to 

 England, after more than three years, he dropped in 

 at Romano's to shake hands with any of the old lot 

 who might be present. The old waif was there, in the 

 same place as before, and almost unchanged. He did 



