Testimony to the efficiency of the service given in the classified advertisement of the "N.-C. D. News", and, by the way, an idea of the dearth of houses in Shanghai, is found in the fact that 90 answers were received by the advertiser who inserted the following once Y. only in last Friday's issue:
Furnished house near French Park, ideal for a couple—backelors need not apply. Five rooms, large attic, new iano, mosquito screened, telephone, ally furnished except linen and bed: ding, ready for immediate occupation. Tried servants await new masters. Term, 12 months from May 1, possibly 18. Tls. 100, including toxes. Address Box No. 1252.
Twenty replies came in by noon, the remaining 10 straggling in during the afternoon, the last one being brought in by a lady who pleaded that her reply was most urgent and should be sent to the advertiser immediately; the house was at that hour practically rented, having been awarded to ap. plicant whose letter was the first to be opened. The lucky one and her husband visited the house at 5.30 end the deal was closed at 5.45 o'clock om Friday afternoon, the day the advertisement appeared.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.