The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-10-07
@tsrellanp.
TOMS LUCK.


for he was looking straight on, or dowuwards,
like one who did not want to be recognized. His
dress might account for that; long boots ceaing
above the knee, u peat ,cket, and a forsge-cap.
Dc not form the ordinary London costume. in
spite Of the volunteer movement and it, hybrid
fashions; and yet Tom Was not one to Do bash
ful on account Of his clothes | hurried after
him, and pat my hand on his shoulder; he start.
ed as il had touched the nerve OF tooth; and
without glaucing round, darted into the road. ~
though bent on raising the average OF street 40
oidents. A hanson cabby refined his horse up
On his launches, aud cursed him An omnibus
driver ditto; butcher ditto; newsagent, .
fshmonger, and private groom, ditto aad then
he landed on the opposite pavement. 1t he had
been in Rome, and opposed to the Popes infal-
ibilty he could not have been asssiled with
worse language When fairly through 1t all, he
looked back, saw me, and came across again, this
time less recklessly.
"Why, Tom, so you have come hsme" cried
l, grasping his hand.
"Yes," said he, II landed at London Bridge
this morning. L have just left your staircase.
finding your outer door sported."
"Come back them"
"Why did you bolt from me in that way 2" I
asked, when we were comfortably seated in my
room.
Because l thought you were some one to
whom l we'd money" replied Tom. "Heigh-ho!
Ihave been free from that feeling for four months
but the moment set my foot on the quay 1t all
came back"
care your debts SO very heavy, then ?"
"No; fortunately, 1 could never get credit
enough for that. l suppose fifty pounds would
clear me, with the exception of my tailor, OF
course, but can pay him with fresh orders al
ways. But fifty pounds which you cannot pay
are worse than five thous and which you can"
"Pooh You will soon clear that off when you
get into practice"
II don't know" said Tom, with despondent
sigh; "the moment get any money, it melts
cannot tell how. Then / do not see my way
clearly. 1 should like to go into the service as
an assistant surgeon; but there is the eutht, and
1 do not want TO he any further expense to my
mother, if | can help it. Jones wrote to say that
he would take me on again as his assistant while
locked about me; but to. 60 there would be
running into the very jaws Of old Kirby, my
principal creditor"
"And who is old Kirby ?"
"An inn keeper and livery stable keeper, to es-
cape from whom got attached to the ambulance,
and went out. I had been Sinking him for
months, till at last got tired Of it, and deter.
mined to leave the neghborhood. Aud l had
not been in England four hours before l ran
plump up against him He came hurrying af-
ter me; I pretended not to see him, Owed down
aby-street, doubled, came to your chambers, and
nau JUST lett the court when you saw me AZ L
told you"
"Is this Kirby such severe creditor, then ?"
"No; do not know that he is; he is 3 good
natured sort of old fellow enough. and rather
liked me, but he likes his money better. The
last time l saw him-to speak to. l mean-it
cost me Il sovereign to disguise how hard up
was"
"How was that ?"
"Well, it was about three weeks before join
ing the ambulance that went one evening into
the billiard room at Kirby's place, thinking that
he was away at some race meeting in the north,
when he came in full of Derby sweep he was
getting up. The room was crowded with men
playing at pool and looking on, and almost all
of them put in. Now, you know that have n ,
taste for any kind Of gambling. You lose q
couple OF pounds at cards or betting, and might
have had days hunting for the money. There
are SO very many pleasures to be had for the
buying. that never have . shilling to throw
away upon what gives me no agreeable sensa-
tioa whatever. This sweep was particularly de.
void OF temptation to me, for there we're to be 100
me ibers, and the chances against each wore tre-
meudous However, feared if I demurrsd old
Kirby would suspect that q sovereign was an OBJ
Ieot to me, and Immediately think Of the 30 or
~ owed him for dinners and horse hire; % I
told him to put my name down with - careless
an air as possible, and handed him third Of my
possessed three pounds twelve shilliugs and six.
pence, and only parted with Q sovereign"
"And what horse did you draw ?"
"Some colt or anOther-I forget the nane. It
was sent to Jones' and forwarded to me. was
very busy at Derby time, and never saw any En-.
glish papers; but heard the names Of The three
fret horses, and mine was not one Of vhem;
know that"
I" How could you have been 90 foolish O. 10 get
20 deeply into this Kirby's books ?" asked.
because he gave me credit" said Tom, sim.
ply. "He took fancy to me, because I could
ride, think; and he profered me mount with
the Queen's, Whenever could got holiday, tel.
ling me ready money didn't matter could pay
when liked. Aud, a. you know, was used TO
horses, aud never had to think about expenses in
my poor fathers time, before the Ovsrend Cur.
ney smssh."
"Krby will never press you" exclaimed L.
when you are settled in any way"
HE would not::dun me II he could help it,
dare say" roared Tom; "but Re may have losses
himself. fear he is hard up, or Why should he
have called 10 often on Jones, ~ ask for my ad.
dressr Jones, like good fellow, never gave it
to him. and sept me warning I do wish could
pay, for it would 10 convenient to 10 back there
tor the present."
u wish had the money to lend yoa, Tom"
said !. and meant it, for bad n great regard
for Tom Martin. He had been my fax ~ rchuol
and bis parents were very kind 10 me in the
days OF their prosperity, When the orash came.
ne had ouckied to work msnfully, instead Of CRY.
ing over split milk: and il His expenditure had
Deem unsuited % his present fortunes. y hivb
spirited young fellow canot be expected to change
all his habits in moment without = struggle.
II know it, old fellow replied he, "and should
have asked you to help me ut .nce, il had