A London Lad's Prayer

W. Pett Rídge, the London writer, makes a London boy in one of his stories offer the following rather original prayer: "Lord, wilt thou 'ave the kindness to make me grow strung and tall and with plenty to say for meself, and wilt thou do this as soon as thou can find time, so's to save me expense and waste of money that might be used in other ways - say for a cricket bat. Believe me, Lord, thy obedient servant, A. Martin. ' ' He rose. He was half way iuto his blue flannel bed gown, wheu an important idea occurred to hini, and he knelt down again quickly. "Should 'ave. mentioned, " he whispered, "Elf red Martin of 53 Cawstle street, jest over Surrey side of South'ark bridge. "