The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-08-21
A PAIR OF CHESTNUTS.

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a PAIR OF CH ESTN JJTS.
| was the most reckless, hard rid
ing, good for-nothing young scamp
of a subaltern who ever carried her
majesty g commission. The one re-
deeming point about me was the
fact that loved Lena Vereker, and
in spite Of my fanlts she loved me ii
return. That was the best time in
my life, and the downward grade
commenced with the advent Of new
fellow in the regiment, Saxby Brace
well by name. Under his auspices
the card table fourished edingly.
Like some few other men, he possess
ed an extraordinary faculty for
games ofskill. Until he came ] had
always been put forward by my
brother officers as their show man
Tor riding, athletics, billiards, fenc-
ing, shoo citing, or tennis, but before
this new light / went down as a far
thing dip before a gas jet. And vet
! would never consider myself beaten
but challenge him again and again,
and, needless to say, there was al
ways something on, just to give it
an interest" So things went on.
Play became heavier. The colonel
looked glum, my seniors spoke warn
ingly. Mr.. Vereker did not seem SO
frankly glad to see me when we met
and was more chary of his invita-
tions, and Lena looked pale and anx-
ious.
Then came the day when | woke to
find myself a ruined man, obliged to
send in my papers, and, hardest Of
all, compelled to say a long good-by
to Lena, who, dear little soul, prom
ised to keep true until should come
back from Australia rich man (for
that was the goal on which [ placed
my hopes) Yes, / thought then that
fate could not have a blacker turn to
serve me, but knew otherwise when,
on a lonely Australian station,
read in a scrap o. an English news
paper e had somehow picked up of
the grand marriage festivities be-
tween Lena, daughter Of. Edward
Vereker, Esq, Of Colne Abbey, and
1 could hardly believe myeyes- Capt.
Saxby Bracewell, Of the Black Ora
goons, and only son of Sir. j Ohm
Bracewell.
/ did not know till then how the
secret conscio BUSINESS of Lena at home
waiting for me had buoyed up nv
spirit, but with that last blow all en-
ergy or wish to retrieve my fallen
fortunes seemed to leave me.
But now, oddly enough, that
had no wish for money things took
a turn. Ny focks and herds throve
apace, gold quartz was found on nv
station in sufficient quantity, and
near a stream, to Justify the forma-
ton Of q gold mining company nam
ed .sGolconda Junior = and in a
rvelously short space Of time
fond myself in possession of an in
come which ifany one had formerly
told me would one day be mine I
should have laughed him to scorn.
Then / found myself back again in
Lond the same old Londo on and
yet there was difference. u saw no
faces that | knew, or who seemed to
know me. The young ones seemed
to me SO young, and the elders but
there, unconscio usly as it were, /
turn my steps toward TattersalPs IS.
As / near the well remembered en-
trance a man jumping out ola ham
som knocks up against me.
81 IN sure beg your par Why,
bless my heart! can it be? Yes it
surely is yourself! Jim, old fellow,
welcome back a Thousand times!
Who would have thought Of meeting
you? and you are just the very man
wanted ''SS5
And Phil Blake, late captain in
the Black Drag oons, and one of the
cheeriest and kind lest hearted Of men,
g,rasped my hand and shook it with
ell the enthusiasm of his nature.
0 And how 3 yourself? and what are
ye doing? and where are going?"
were the questions rapidly poured
forth, as taking my arm he led me
on to the conway. Come in here
and give me the benefit Of your iudg-
ment. know nobody whom ia
trust before you in the matter Of
horse buying There pair Of
horses to be sold here to-day, and
the price asked is SO ridiculo lousy low
that, considering their make and
shape, / fancy there must be some
thing queer; but for the life Of me I
can't discover any thing. They'll
make q grand pair Of leaders. BY
the way, do you know I've set up
coaching as a business; up one day
down the next? My line is between
Barrackville and Lond on. It pays
expenses and leaves q little over
Rather a pretty bit Of country, too,
/ but of course you II know it allwell. 4
Yes, said short 'ssStt st. Rum
valid q, my old uncle's place, is on
the road ]" and could not1repress a
sigh as 1 Thought of the old place
which had heen mine for d couple Of
months and then had to 60 to the,
hammer with every thing else. ~