The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-15
THE BROTHER -tM~LAW.
ICoNTINUED.I

lCONTINUED.
AS the three gentlemen walked to-
wards the bank, the conversation
turned insensibly on the approaching
races.
"You don't patronize the turf, Mr.
Kieman?" said Oliver.
"Well, I've had too much to do
with it in my time" /" replied Maurice.
1T don't suit steady man of bust.
ness"
Here Oliver WINGED, and Cough
smiled grimly beneath his red NOUS
"Still," continued Maurice, "the
sight of good horse does my heart
good, and 1 long to have my legs in
the buck-skins again"
81 should like you to see coun-
tryman of yours, Mr.. KEENAN," said
Captain Cough; ''an Irish horse I'm
going to run next week, Foigh-a- bal
lagh!''
"What! brother to Slievenanom, I"
exclaimed Maurice, excitedly, ''I
knew his sire and dam well. They
were bred up at Lord Bynewater's.
Exactly" said Cough.
Thereupon ensued most learned
and earnest conversation ON the
merits of Irish horses in general,
and the pedigree and the excellenc ce
of Foigh-a-ballagh in particular, so
that before they parted, Maurice had
agreed to ride with Captain Cough
to the races.
GIVE seen that fellows face some
where" said Maurice, meditatively,
,as he walked away with the proceeds
OF the 200 pound bill in his pocket.
80 Maurice Kieman and I have
met once more" quoth Captain
Cough, between his teeth. "I have
not forgotten the toe of his boot"
The race week arrived. Maurice
had not crossed horse for twelve
month, and the excitement of gallop-
ing about the course, after the dull,
plodding life he had led for some
time, caused him to lose all self-con-
troll. He patronized the refreshment
booths, backed Foigh-a- ballagh heavi-
~, for pure patriotic motives, saw
him lose the race, and finally sup
ped with Captain Cough, (who bore
his horses ill-luck very stoically, J
where cards, punch and number of
choise spirits kept the fun up till
morning.
After heavy slumber he awoke to
remorse, but not to repentance. He
took ga hair of the dog that bit him"
the previous night, to steady his
nerves; and then proceeded to divers
office, to try and obtain q private
loan from him for the purpose of set
ting his losses at play. He almost
despaired Of success; but as he dared
not write to his brother-in law, he
resolved to apply to the architect.
He found, Oliver in his private
office, looking anxious and agitated,
while the room smelt strongly of
brandy. To Maurice's surprise, he
MAIDEN objection to the loan, pro-
vided it was done in the same way rs
before, namely, q bill at thirty days
sight.
.'How much do you want?" asked
Oliver.
"a couple of hundred" said Maui
rice.
well, make it three, and I'll take
one. It'll be more convenient"
Maurice did not see the conve-
nience, but said nothing. The bill
was drawn and paid Cess discount)
by the bankers. Oliver, after they
reached his Office, taking the G1OO.
Shortly after this transaction, Maui
rice received q very affectionate let
ter from his sister, informing him of
Mrs. Heyworth's death, and begging
him to come down and attend the
funeral. She concluded, by hoping
that he was still going on steadily,
although her husband had been
somewhat annoyed at his wanting
money.
On receipt of this letter, Maurice
glanced at looking glass, and read
in the aspect of those blood-shot
eyes and swollen features, the effect
of his intemperance. Half afraid
that his tremulous hand would be-
tray him by his unsteady writing, he
set down to pen some clumsy lie, to
excuse himself from visiting Beller-
by.