Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-04-19

+ rank Evans had been brought up away
from towns. Fresh air, green fields, spread
ing trees. clear streams, were things ia
miliar to him. He had no, been accus-
toned TO walk continually in crowds, and
tread his passage through lines of eager,
unprincipled faces. Money making was
less obtrusvely carried on, and the great
struggle of one human being with another
for existence was not SO palpuble. He
was healthful, rather simple. not very in
dusirous, and Of undecided character
Totally ignorant Of what is called the
'world,' he was about equally liable 20 be
turned to good or evil. Hitherto he had
been chiefly subjected TO beneficial inhu-
ences. but a three weeks intimacy with
Tom Doyle had not been without its eff.
feet.
The intimacy was brought about thus:
Doyle was one morning standing on the
London bridge with his hands inserted in
his pockets. and whstIing as he con,em-
plated The departure Of the Margate steam
er from the wharf below While so en-
gagged another spectator placed himself by
his side and gazed on the proceeding with
an earnest curiosity that contrasted remark
ably with his unenjoying, languid glance.
The spectator was Frank Evans. A con-
versation ensued, by which Doyle learned
from the communicative stranger that he
had run away from his native village in
consequence Of quarrel with his parents,
and that he was now living with an uncle
at Bermondsey, who was exerting himself
to make up matters.
From this day Doyle and Evans often
met. The London youth undertook with
great kindness to instruct his country friend
in some of The ways Of the metropolis, the
latter undertook 10 furnish the money as
far as his own resources and his uncle's
bounty wonld allow. But now an epoch
had arrived in their intercourse. Doyle
wished Evans to join the coterie Of Ned
Roper, an enterprising individual who did
much business of an illegal but productive
character. This he the more strongly
urged, as he had himself resolved, after
some scruples, TO enter on the business
himself. To this proposition Evans OBJ
jected, in the first place, that he did not
like it abstractedly, and in the second place,
that his uncle had offered to procure him
the situation of light porter at merchants
counting house, which might lead to a seat
in the counting house itself, and that TO
opuence and consideration. They agreed
to discuss the matter quietly over pot Of
porter in the tap room Of the Black Bull.
why Frank, said Doyle, pm ashamed
Of you-roast me to a cinder il amt
What's the odds if there is little danger
or so with Ned-It's blessed sight better
than being muff Of porter in an infer
nal old cheating counting house,
Come, Tom, no bad language said
Evans, you may be right; but don't feel
so sure Of it. If | refuse to take this ST.
tuation, my uncle will turn me out Of doors
that know
'And what Of that said DOYLE, 'other
people has doors | $ pose. I'D pretty soon
turn myself out of doors if it was me-
We'll, Tom,' said Evans, .I'l tel! you
what III do to settle it in one way or the
other. We might talk here all nigh, and
| shouldn't make up my mind. I'll toss
for it-heads, | go to the merchants; tails,
| 60 to Ned! Lend me half penny
Il lend YOU'D exclaimed Doyle, "a likely
thing | can lend you! I lost my last half
penny at skitles, two hours ago.
and paid my last halfpenny for this
pot of porter;' said Evans, and my uncle
has sworn to give me no more unless Pm
obedient. Dash it. shall be obliged to go
10 Ned for want Of a toss-up to give the
counting house chancen
He fumbled in successive pockets with
the view of placing his restitution beyond
doubt. He found each empty until. in the
last of all the left wais,coat pocket; in
the extreme left corner, his finger encoun-
tered something having the feel Of coin.
He Grew it forth. and displayed an old
battered, verdgris covered farthiog 1t
had remained there unnoticed for life
time.
'Ah, ha' exclaimed Evans, ioyrullv.
here IS what shall tell us. Now see fair
play' Remember head is for the Mer-
chant, and tail in for Ned; and here
goesi
The coin spun in the air and descended
on The table; it was head.
The merchant for everp exclaimed
Evans.
Toss again and hold your noise' said
Doyle, sulenly.
The coin spun in the air and descended
on the table; it was tail.
Med for ever' exclaimed DOYLE.
Now for the last tossr said Evans.
His heart beat fast-the room seemed
10 swim aronnd with him-and his knees
,rembled His previous reckless calm
ness had disappeared, and he was wound
up 10 an intense pitch Of anxiety. He did
not allow himself to wish either way or if
so it amounted TO but half a visible
tossed up the far,hing for the last time.
The coin spun in the air and decended
on the tablet was head.
'Damnationn mutiered Doyle, through