The Northern Pacific farmer., 1882-09-28
How He Nearly Went Under.
From 4 London Paper.

From London Paper.
Jack Howard stole away from Good
wood immediately after the cup had
been run for and took the first train
back to town. He had not the heart to
make light OF his illluck, to drown sor-
row in the flowing bowl, and to return
to B,Nnor with his brother officers on
the rcyimcntal drag, hilarious and excit
ed, according to precedent. It was by
no means the first time he had been
badly hit, but on this occasion his losses
we're SO serious an, involved such grave
consequences that he felt almost stunned
at the dismal prospect before him.
He could not disguise the fact that he
was utterly broken. Impclcl by dcS-
peration to stake his honor and reputa-
ton upon the result Of the Goodwool
cup, he found himself a ruined man, un-
able to meet his engagements and guilty
of rccklessness which might be called
by very unpleasant name. He re-
turned to town stricken with horror and
despair, and mechanically turned his
steps towards the club. As he was walk
, ing westward he came face to face with
the man ofall others he would most glad
" have avoided at the moment, for Mr.
Porter Hlish was his rival for the aztec
tons Of the girl he loved. Jack attempt
ed to pass 10y with 4 nod, but Mr.. Porter
Bliyh bounced upon him.
II saw, Mr.. Howard! This is bad
news for YOU, isn't it," inquired Mr..
Blgh, ny>terlOusly.
"Deurcu bud," replied, Jack too mis-
erable to conceal his discontinue even
from his rival.
III was afraid 50. am sorry to hear
it, continued Mr.. B!iEl in il tone which
was not practically sympathetic. I have
lust called on Miss Trevanen. I prom
iscd to let her know the result OF the
race immediately"
"In,lceu,' said Jack, with tWinye ut
his heart, rs he guessed the cause OF the
yuu,. lauy's anxiety.
Il got L friend to wire me the winner
from the course, and directly received
the telegram I took it on to Miss TrevH-
nen, She could not see me but sent it
in to her"
Mr. Blish impaired this information
with the air of /. man who is talking for
the sake Of keeping up II conversation.
All the while he was scanning Jacks
miserable face with very keen eyes.
(which Way are you going," he in
quired abruptly.
ITO the club" replied Jack, moving
off, 'Iou are going back to the city, [
Il will walk with YOU" said Mr.. Bligh,
turning on his heel. Il should like to
have Il chat with you. Between us We
NAV be able to set things straight"
Mr.. Bligh had Il confident tone and
manner which on ordinary occasions ir-
ritattu Jack very much, but which, in
his present frame of mind, sent mo-
me.it;lr.- ray Of hope through his bosom.
,tl,an the idea of seeking the ASST 'tance of
his rival in the difficulties which cncom-
passed HIM, but he instinctively jumped
at the prospect Of a practical suggestion,
just as drowning man will clutch ut
straw. He secretly entertained rather
an exaggerated notion of Mr. Bligh's tact
and shrewdness, holding the unsoplisti-
Gated opinion that wealthy city man,
who had amassed q fortune by energy
and enterprise, was the personification
of worldly wisdom.
Mr.. BHgh passed his arm through
Jacks with unaccustomed fami 'arity, but
did not Immediately continue the con-
versation. Jack was naturally rcticent
about his affairs with comparative
stranger. and consequently nothing was
said on the SUBJ ject until they were both
seated in corner Of the smoking-room
Of the Ph cenix Club, which a that hour
and on such a day was completely de-
serted.
"Well Mr.. Howard, what is the fig
irfe?" inquired Mr.. Bligh, cheerily, as
he lit cigar.
Jack looked at his companion with
puzzled expression. He could not con-
ccal the motive Of his sudden friendl-
ne>:, yet be knew him sufficiently we'll
tn eel sure that he was not actuatcu by
pure hcncvolence. 1t was rrlmoreh
that Mr.: Porter Bligh had made Il good
deal of his money in INSCRIPTIONS ways,
though no definite charge had ever been
eminentlv respectable that it was i'm
possible seriously to believe what Was
said about him by cnvious persons; and
as Jack gazed upon the bold, handsome
features, the nea ,ly arranged irOn-gruy
hair and WhiSkcrs, and the sedate attire
Of his rival! he was Sciz:,i with a fccli ny
OF rcmUrsc at having doubted his good
nature.
1T is really very kind of you, Mr..
Eli-h. to interest yourself about me-
said he
i'Don't mention it. I am always
pleased to do turn to q friend when l
can, !" said Mr.. Bliyh in All uti-lnnd way
Now, how much would you require to
enable you to settle up ut Tatersai!'s on
Mondays"
Jack named sum which caused Mr..
Bligh to give loud whistle, for not an
tI,,t ,1,tf,
fering his pecunary aid, he did not at
tempt to colicca. the magnitude Of his H.
abilities. Mr.. Bligh seemed quite taken
ablrk by the amount, and sat silent for
some minutes, reviewing his shapely
finger nails with meditativo air, while
Jack wondered what was passing in his
mind. Presently he said, without look
ing up:
GLOW much can you gct?"
"Nnthing," said Jack, dejectedly; Eat
least, nothing that would assist me. I
might raise a few hundreds, perhaps"
Wont your uncle shell out-the Bar
onet, mean?:"
. "No; we quarre!ed long ago." said
, Jack.
''He married to spite you, I've heard,
and he seems to have affected his pllr-
pose completely now that he has two
sons Of his own," said Mr.. Bliyh, with
rather course laugh.
Jacks face flushed. for it was not
pleasant to be rcmin ted, in the moment
of fadvcrSity, Of the origin Of his nisfor-
tunes. He had been brought up as heir
pr"slnnptive to Sir Spencer Howard, a
wealthy, crotchct old barOnet, who, after
helping to form the young mans expen-
sivc tastcsund habits by lavish libcrality,
suddenly took offence at a word spoken
in jest and stopped supplies. Sir Spen'
GERS subsequent marriage ruined his
nephew's expectations and brought his
creditors down upon HIM, since which
time Jack Howard had been going stead
lily down bill.
) Restraining his impulse to give Mr.
, Eligh curt answer, he said quietly:
1T would be perfectly hopeless to ap.
ply: to my uncle. Besides. he has gone
abroad, and don't quite know where
he is. ] believe he has taken his wife
and family tor trip to Canada to visit
an estate he has bought there"
well, it seems to me you are in q
l,o1.> NJ Hou-orI co;C