Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-03-30
Twenty Pounds Sterling.

There never was such man to bet as
Staining. He was always so sure he
was right. Our mutual friend, Marx
we'll, ought to have sailed for Brazil,
but l felt confident had seen him in
the street; but Staining said it was
nonsense, and he bet me twenty pounds
to one shilling was wrong. He
hardly finished speaking when Marx
we'll came in. Staining pulled out OF
his pocket a twenty pound noto and
handed it to me.
"There you are. old fellow. "A fool
and his money etc. Another illustra-
tion OF the wise adage."
Not exactly; for you don't expect
shall take your money!
Yes do; and shall bo extremely
annoyed il you refuse"
protested, but presently he said, in
considerable irritation:
"Then be my almoner and give the
money away in charity"
He left presently, and, as thero are
objections to standing in the public
highways with bank note in your
hand and puzzled expression in your
face, the note was transferred TO my
pocket, and went my way wondering,
when was met full tilt by q clergy
man whom / knew.
Halloa" he cried. "Mr. Smith,
you and seem to have our minds 80
much occupied that We cannot take
care Of our bodies"
Z" No grave matter OF mine" I said,
81 but you look sad. Nothing wrong
with you or yours?"
"No, thank you; but have Just left
depressing scene. A young couple,
married in haste. have como to grief.
The wife and child are ill. Relatives
and friends have .receded into the re-
mote background. And, worse than
all, the husband"
"Has become intemperato or has
gone mad p
"Neither one nor the other"
Something worse ?"
"Yes; for to be dishonest is worse
than going mad. And it is such mere
trifle that is needed apparently TO put
all straight, that groan in my inability
to find it."
Whats wanted7''
"Well, it's only CO."
There's the money you require.
Haste away, and do all the good you
can with it,"
My friend looked astonished. He
even hesitated moment.
cit is very good of you," he said,
nervously, "but really"
81 have the power to give this away.
Goodbye" And hurried of. Then
/ fastened back to him.
"May I request that you will on no
account mention my nameT
"As you wish 1t won't but you
should know the objects of your
bounty" And he told me. Then we
parted. I had only gone dozen yards
when there passed me young man
with flushed face and frightened,
anxious look in his eyes. He caught up
to my friend and spoke to him.
"That is the man." / said 10 myself,
"whose proceedings here have been
dubious, and who will, / trust, be res
cued by .Stainings E20 Well, IL The
wheel should turn and this poor man
should ever be in position 10 deliver a
fellow-creature from such trouble M he
himself is nov in, by the surrender OF
E20, / wonder whether he'll do III
Smith, you surely know human nature
we'll enough to answer your own foolish
question. Not he--not bit OF IL"
This incident was soon swept from
my mind by sudden call 20 60 abroad,
even to the place where Maxwell did
not go--Brazil. Nothing hampered me
then; I was young bachelor, and
could start for the antipodes At two
days notice. When I take my wife
and children Il forget the number
our autumnal trip. In these later years
Of my lie, l require weeks preparation,
Away thon to Brazil; away 10 neE
life, neu companions, new hopes snd
feara; away TO fortune and the yellow
feveri Here occurs in my tale an IN,