The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-14
A STRAIGHT TIP.
By EDWARD s. VAN zrLE.

1uc, fhdh WHO ubleTe1 sGneSo Hlaugy
words was a taIl, tiashify-.iressed indi-
vidual. with small eyes and a large nous
tache
'What'fe the odds?' asked his com
panlon, a pale, blonde youth, with weak
face and hesitating manner"
Ten 10 one, straight. Three to one for
place, But tell to you play IL straight.
It's regular hog killing
But you know swore or when your
last tip went wrong"
That's aIl right. / want you to get
square on the bal break made then. Ia
tai Don't forget to play Starry Flag and
you'll blow me on 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 q we.l-known business
house in lover Broadway and had won the
confidence Of Ills employers. He earned q
good salary, and, being a bachelor OF sim
pie habits, he had managed to save con-
siderable money.
But temptation comes to all men, and
julius Comstock one day In early summer
took 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, 30 he began to engage
In the equally periious process Of betting
on horse-races. In pursuit OF this occupa-
ton he had made the acquaintance OF
prominent member OF "tho 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 adj
vance. A
As he hurried back to bis duties be 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 Q blonde indivldu-
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 q very hourishing condi-
tion. But that Starry Flag would win he
had no doubt. II he could manage to place
one hundred dollars on the horse ut odds
OF ten to one, he would more than recoup
himself for his seasons loss.
He was the more anxious to do this as
he had recently come to the conclusion
that he was in love with pretty girl
whom he had met at his boarding house
AAAA hO uhL AO0DOu " GOIlCNO thai bu6 ulu
not look upon him with indifference As
his bank account had dwindlcd his love
had increased, and, now that he was with
out q cent. the combination Of remorse
and infatuation rendered him utterly
miserable. Ii he could win a thousand
dollars on Starry Flag he would propose 10
his inamorata that very Night. But
where. OH where, could he place Ills yhite
thin hand on a hundred dollar bill?
A vision OF bank notes reposing in a
safe only a few feet from his desk was be-
fore him. His superior, the cashier, al
ways locked the safe when he vent to
luncheon. but Comstock knew tie com
binatian Of the LOCK. He had caught a
GLIMPSE OF it one day on a memorandum
pad u The cashier. Surprising that he
borrowed" few dollars from the safe?
H6cousd pace the money ON Starry Flag
who ran in the first race, cash his winning
ticket by three oc.ock and replace the
money he had used before the cashier
settled up for tue day.
As ConIstock entered his office and
seated himself at his desk, cold perspir-
soft ton covered his body and his hand trem- /
bed rs ne took up pen. He glanced at
tho cashier He was changing his coat,
preparatory to taking his midday outing.
He had already locked the safe
moment later the assistant cashier
was alone in the room Now vas his
chanceI Hastily approaching the safe, he
placed shaking hand on the lock. To
his dlsmay he found that he could not re-
member the numbers in their sequence.
10 try every combination possible with
three numbers and 10 make, at tie same
time. the requisite revolutions forward
ward and back, would take great deal Of
time. Nevertheless, he was too thorough
agambler to throw away his opportu-
nifty without at least 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 accumulation. Luck
was with him, The one chance in thous-
ands had been struck and the heavy door
rolled slowly open. Hurriedly Selling
bill from large roll in front OF him, he
closed the safe, locked it and returned to
Mis- desk. He had not an instant to spare
Tor az that moment the cashier entered.
You look pale, Julius" he remarked
cordially. It's very dull day. You'd
better take the afternoon off and go down
10 the shore"
Thank you," returned the assistant
huskiiy. i am perfectly well. however
thin1 III stick it out, but, II you don't
I mind, III step out for little stroll. It
seems very close in here to-day
few minutes later Comstock entered d
pool room and joined the motley throng
that watched the changing odds marked
{ by the bookmakers
Ten to one against Starry FlagSto win.
three to one place. came the cry.
Comstoek hesitated for a moment. Con-
servatism counseled him to play the horse
for aplace. Cupidity urged him to takol
the long odds.
It's dead sure thing" 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
seemed to choke him and his step was un-
n%naHv 4