THE NEW COACH AT ST. STEPHEN'S. 215 



places before that time, when it is hoped by the 

 professional that he will be able to hold them all well 

 together — a point on which it is rumoured he antici- 

 pates little difficulty, and, indeed,' I hear he looks 

 forward to its being quite a Bright concern. 



'"Merry Pebbles" is the professional who has started 

 it, and he has worked hard for some months in 

 getting together his stock, having selected them from 

 England, Ireland, and Scotland, and spared no 

 trouble or exertion in the undertaking, having even 

 been so energetic as to stump several parts of England 

 and Scotland for the purpose. 



' Several, however, that he had selected, and that it 

 was expected' would have been worked in the concern, 

 were found to be unavailable, as after the most 

 vigorous efforts, and much expense and time, they 

 could not be got up to the poll, and were not fit to 

 put in as leaders. 



' The upshot, however, of the almost herculean 

 labours of the professional was that he succeeded in 

 getting together an extensive stock, so numerous 

 that he has been unable to find places to put them all 

 into. 



' The professional is a person of great experience, 

 and has had the management of several undertakings 

 before, but about the year 1875 he was unable to hold 

 his team together, and was driven off the road by 



