The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-01-23
HUNDRED TO ONE

II wa sn old friend oi mine ~ho ou'
day uttered this very severe iadsemen'
upon Humanity. while se we're Pufins ou'
cigars after very good dinner
You so little beyond lh. mark, Msior
said. though our good deeds usual,
turn up blanks 10 this world at least
prize sometimes very unexpectedly re
ward. ns
Did ron ever sc, on,? he asked. with I
grim smile
did once; very big one. repli
el
You we're lucky. be erunted.
I'll tell you all about il. said: II is Nj
curious 40 Incident 1 you ever can,
across. aud what renders 1t particularly in'
terestine Is that IL is quite true. You know
when | was youngster | was a bit Of I
turtle, Then my regiment was ordered
of to India, and for several years | bad Il
content myself with reading the old spor,
ing news in the English newspapers as they
were sent ont 10 me
Ii was close to Christmas, 10 1916, that
returned once more to old England
Flat racing was over, Of course. but there
was plenty Of steepl, chasing, and one ol
the large steeplechsse handicaps was to be
decided Christmas week.
As usual, everybody WAS dead sure The
fsvoite must win. After my long depriva
tion of all such excitement plunged into
the vortex with all the eagerness and rel
ish Of novelty was poor man at the
time, but. following the general lead.
backed the favorite for sum | could III
afford. On Christmas night and Nh old
friend, Jack Gilman. Of the Hus.srs. dined
at the Army aud Navy Club. II was aboul
10 o'clock when we left, and we stood on
the pavement 10 front OF the bouse talk
ing for few minutes before separating,
A cold east wind. bringing with il driz
cling rain, was blowing up Pail Mall; and
we we're specializing as to what sort OF q
day it would be for tie race, when man
came up aud begged us, for the love Of
God, to give him a trifle to get crust Of
bread and nights lodging, as he bad not
tasted food for over thirty hours.
As well as could see by the light OF
the street lamp, he was atiired i, thread
bare suit OF black. without a vestsge Of
linen; bis face was gaunt. hsggard and
unsbaven, there was wild look in his
eyes. and his voice was ohoked with rising
sobs. All this. however. might have been
the sham of an imposltor; but there was
something in the tone and mauper OF this
man that he was no common beggar. put
my hand in my pocket and gave him hall
a crown. Thank you, he said, but with
out any effusion. You have saved me for
another day at least.
He was walking away when, my curios
ity being aroused, called him back and
asked kindly what had brought him to
such state OF desiitution.
My own folly, be answered lowering his
head, drink. gambling, borse.racing. !
had q good estate oDce-it all went that
way You are 10 the service aient you?
| answered in the affirmative.
So was | once, be answered, 0 memb
OF that club too, pointing to the one had
just quilted.
Indeed, said my curiosity keener than
ever, may ask your name'
would rather not mention it, he repli
ed, have so disgraced it that wish it to
sink into oblivion. not for my own sake.
but for other who also bear it, But l am
keeping you standing in the cold. Good
night, gentlemen, and thank you once
more.
Stay. said. take this as q Christmas
box. And | put sovereign in bis hand
and scribbliug my address upon card,
il you will call upon me. not to morrow.
bnt the day after, will see il something
cant be done.
You're very good. be answered; but.
without saying whether or not be would
come, he walked away.
You have been done. regularly done
by that fellow, said my companion. OF
course, when you wished him to call upon
you be didn't see it. He'll get gloriously
drunk on that sovereign in some thieves
kitchen to night, and laugh at you for a
greenhorn.
don't think so, replisd as We part
ed.
Tue next mosning aud Jack drove
down to Sandoun to witness the event up
90 which We bad hszz,rded our little ell
We got there carly and jack being halle d
by some people 10 carriage with whom |
va, not acquainted. sirolled about the
course | bad not gone far when | felt
some one touch my elbow.
| looked Ground, and there was the men
dicant whom ! had relieved on the pre-
yious night. the same 10 every psrticular
except that he bad had q clean shave, and
there vas sn eager aud animated look on
his face.
beg you pardon for addressing you
10 this pnplie place, be said, bn, are you
beuingS
A littla. ] sal 1. Wby'
Take sIl the odds you can get on Dn,ch
Roller. be replied. dropping bis voice to
= whisper. uhile his eyes CLEANED aud his
bsnds ,rem bled with excitement.
on Dltch Roller. / said; Why be stands
st leo to !, aud every body knows Mr.
merely starts him TO make the
fnnning for Doleinl
Look here, be said showing me . sov
ereisn. tbis is the colo you gave me lsss
night. spent the hall crown bat | mean
10 risk this upon Duich Roller
More stsme Tor ycu. ssid. indisnsntly
siier all you've suffered.
TIL. will rsdes u me. siter loday usy.