The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-23
A STRAIGHT TIP.
By EDWARD S. VAN ZIIE.

Copyright 1891 by The United Prcss.i
Its q dead sure thing, cd fellow-a
cinch from way back"
The man who uttered these slangy
words was a tall. fiashily-dressed indi-
vidual. with small eyes and large nous
tache.
"what're the oddsy" asked his COM
panlon, pale, blonde youth. with weak
face and hesitating manner"
Ten to one, straight. Three to one for
place, But tell to you play 1t straight.
It's regular og-killing."
But you know swore off when your
last tip went wrong"
That's all right. l want you to get
square on the bad break made then. Ia
Ia Don't forget to play Starry Flag and
you'll blow me off to luncheon tomorrow"
The tall man moved on up the street
and the youth threaded his way through
the crowd toward his Office. He was as
sistant cashier for a wel-known business
house in lower Broadway and had won the
confidence OF his employers He earned a
good salary, and, being bachelor of SIM
pie habits, he had managed to save con-
siderable money
But temptation comes to all men, and
Julius Comstock one dayin early summer
took a fatal step. Surrounded, as he was,
by men who. in their business operations,
gambled on large SCALE he had gradu-
ally become influenced by the mad striv-
ing for sudden wealth that went on about
him.
His small capital did not permit him to
toy with the fascinating uncertainties Of
stock speculation, SO he began to engage
in the equally perilous process OF betting
on horse-races. In pursuit OF this occupa-
{f~,,l H. lpL 10.
prominent member Of the talent" who
deigned, now and then. to give the young
man "a pointer" The result had been
that by the first OF August julius Com
stock had exhausted his bank account aud
had drawn his salary for month In ad-
vance.
AS he hurried back to his duties he was
In very unenviable frame OF mind. The
passion for gambling had taken full pos
session Of his soul and he longed, with the
rather watery ardor OF a blonde lndividu-
atty, to follow the advice of his chance
acquaintance. But how could he raise the
money? He was dead broke" and his
credit was not In very fourshing condi-
ton. But that Starry Flag would win he
had no doubt II he could manage to place
one hundred dollars on the horse at odds
OF ten to one, he would more than recoup
nin5eiI IOr mas season > iO6S.
He was the more anxious to do this as
he had recently come to the conclusion
that he was in love with pretty girl
wnom he had met at his boarding house
and he mad reason to believe that she did
not look upon him with Indifference. As
his bank account had dwindlcd his love
had increased, and now that he was with
out a cent. the combination Of remorse
and infatuation rendered him utterly
miserable. If he could win thousand
dollars on Starry Flag he would propose to
his inamorata that very night. But
where oh where, could he place his white
thin hand on a hundred dollar billl
| A vision OF bank notes reposing in a
safe only few feet from his desk was be-
fore him. His superior, the cashier, al
ways locked the safe when he went to
luncheon. but COmstock knew the COM
biDation of the lock. He had caught q
glimpse OF it one day on memorandum
pad Of the cashier. Supposing that he
borrowed" few dollars from the safeg
He could place the money on Starry Flag,
who ran in the first race. Gosh his winning
ticket by three o'cock and replace the
money he had used before the cashier
settled up for tne day.
! AS Constock entered his Office and
seated himself at his desk, a cold persp T.
a ton covered his body and his hand trem-
bed as he took up.a pen. He glanced at
the cashier He was changing his coat,
preparatory to taking his midday outing.
He had already locked the safe.
| A moment later the assistant cashier
was alone in the room. Now was his
chance. Hastily approaching the safe he
| placed stalking hand on the lock. To
his dismay he found that he could not re-
member the numbers in their sequence.
TO try every combination possible with
fnree numbers and to make, at tue same
time, the requisite revolutions forward
ward and back, would take great deal OF
time. Nevertheless, he was too thorough
a gambler to throw away his opportu-
nifty without at least a trial.
Three times he attempted to wiring from
the glittering knob it's well-kept secret.
Every slight noise in the adjoining rooms
caused him to look around in alright.
Once again he played coordination. Luck
was with him. The one chance in thous-
ands had been struck and the heavy door
rolled slowly open. Hurriedly Selling a
bill from large roll in front Of him. he
closed the safe, locked it and returned to
his desk. lie had not an instant to spare
for at that moment the cashier entered.
| You look pale, Julius" he remarked
cordially. It's a very dull day. You'd
better take the afternoon off and go down
to the shore"
Thank YOU" returned the assistant
huskliy. Il am perfectly well. however
think I'll stick it out, but, If you don't
mind, I'll step out for little stroll. 1t
seems very close in here to-day"
A few minutes later Comstock entered
pool room and joined The motley throng
that watched the changing odds marked
by the bookmakers.
''Ten to one against Starry Flag to win.
three TO one place." came the cry
Comstock hesitated for moment. Con-
servatism counseled him to play the horse
for place. Cupidity urged him to take
tie long odds.
''Its dead sure thing, f" he said to him.
self. repeating the words Of his tipster.
zone hundred straight on Starry Flag"
he cried, pushing his way through the
crowd and handing his borrowed" bill to
the "bookies." Selling the ticket eagerly
he fastened toward the door. His heart
nod 10 cholye him and his stem was nm