The banner-enterprise., 1883-09-06

lIrishman, very well known in thu
Bohemia of London at THAT time. H'
: was a middle-aged man, of somewha
/, handsome appearance, and carrying
himself with a military air. He pos
sessed glib tongue, an amazing funt
of anecdote, had a musical voice ant
ear, and all the social advantages o
one who has kissed the Stone of Blar
new. Need | add that Jimmy was ex
tremely popular with both the ladies
and gentlemen of his acquaintance
He got his living in m of thoS,
mysterious ways common to Bohemia
Sometimes he sat as a model III thu
studio of such artists as could afforl
the luxury. In this way he may have
earned a good deal at times-fOr mod
els are often very well paid-and hi
has figured in many a character OF
the walls of Burlington House.
Jimmy seemed to be known by
everybody. He hung about newspa
per offices, particularly those of g
sporting character. He was admit
ted behind the scenes of theatres
He was on the free-list at every music
hall. He knew every prominent
member of "the fancy and the 2. r.,
and all over London he was hailed as
a cherished friend by publicans and
bar.maidS.
These characteristics threw a ro-
mantle halo over Jimmy, to my
young and somewhat verdant mind.
Moreover, he was the life and soul OF
every party he got among, though a
rather vulgar, coarse, and ~disreputa-
Die soul, it must be admitted. He
was IA frequent visitor to the studios
of Camden Town, and vas quite one
of our frpe-and-easy fraternity.
1t was the Monday morning before
the Derby, that race, as every one
knows, being III upona Wednesday.
| vas sitting in my studio at work,
knocking off one of those thin expert
ments in color which took but a day
to complete, and upon which "uncle'
would advance me fifteen Shillings or
a pound, half of that being profit or
earnings to me, the balance covering
cost of canvas, %colors, and frame. In
the midst of my work there entered
to me the O'Hooligan.
Evidently there was something in
the wind Jimmy's entrance was
dramatically impressive. Cautiously
projecting his head and shoulders
through the half-opened doorway, he
aShed
Are yc alone"
| was, and said so. Then he slid
slowly into the room, like Il snake,
holding the door as closely as was
compatible with the passage of his
body. Once inside, he quickly closed
the door, and locked it; then he
turned and faced me, standing still,
with his back against the door, and
Summoning into his face a look Of in
tense excitement. He seemed to be
laboring under the pressure Of some
tremendous secret, which was strug-
Cling to force its way out of him.
Suddenly he crossed the room to-
ward me with long, slow strides, and
on tiptoe, holding up a warning fin
ger the while, and literally cleaning
on me with fixed meaning eyes. Lay
ing his hands on my shoulders, he
whipered hoarely:
"Our fortunes made !"
Then he stood back aud eyed me.
ooh, indeed | said, for | knew
Jenny. "AnOther straight tip, l
suppose"
"Another he shriekcd. THE
straight tip, me bhoy +! The straight
est that ivver-there eighties to
wan. II hundred to wan and sartin
as the fate av sinners !"
struggled desperately against the
%contagiOn of Jimmy's manner, for |
knew by experience what it all meant.
| said
Look here, Oil man, I've had
about enough of your tips. They
never come off, you know
"Ah, now, see here. Ye've been
pidyiR' at bettin'-no more, | gave
We tips, It's true, and they didn't
come Oft. That's partly the reason
why Pm givin' We this, to make up
for thin others. I'm in %airnest, this
y
He was, apparently. His eyes were
dancing and g%litterin in his head, his
hands demonstrating, and his whole
person indicative of eagerness. He
could hardly speak, so strong was
his agitation. ! began 10 feel the ex-
element extending TO myself, and
knew that was destined to give way
to it.
"See now," he continued, "l'ye sur.
wan av the deadest saycrets
Nv the Turf, wan av the biggest
things that's liver been. tell We we
could make our fortunes if we'd ownly
enough TO put on. It's a plant that's
goin' to make this Derby the
most astoundin' wan liver run
"No! 1t don't matter how | got il.
| can't tell even you that. But | sid
to myself, we've got to keep this
thing dark. There's just wan chum
ye're goin' to take in wild yer. Hin
an you's goln' in on this thing, an
yoin' to do the biggest shtroke that
vver yen git the chance of yer
Whole lives! Pve put on VERY bless