Evening journal., 1892-08-29

that day be understood Tom perfectly.
"He wishes TO reform me" he would
sometimes say to himself; and perhaps
he may. Who knows"
II shall want the brown mare up tomor-
row." said Willoughby to Tom one night
in the smoking room; ''I'm going TO Mr..
Ferguson's. Wen shave the dogcart and
you shall drive me, as my ankle is still
weak" He had sprained it about month
before.
None Of them carding parties hope,
sir, +" said Tom.
"shut the door and sit down"
Tom obeyed.
look here. Tom, You forget yourself.
What is it TO you whether play cards or
notg"
Il am sorry to offend. sir. You've been
very kind to me, but can't help speaking
out, and don't like 20 see you wasting
your money. You know, sir, you have
told me as how you lose sometimes"
But / win sometimes"
Tom looked at the door and said nothing.
There was long pause. Willoughbypufred
hard at his pipe. Suddenly lac broke out
with:
"Do you know what mortgages are,
TOMB
Eyes, sir; we call 'em MONKEYS
"Well, Tom, there are a good many mon
keys on my farm, and the owners Of the
monkeys-that IS, the mortgagees
want their interest in a months time II
they don't get it they will sell me up.
have not the money. Now, do you under
stand why am going to play cards tomor-
rowf"
Tom looked at his master sympathetic
ally, but did not speak.
"It's not all my fault" he went on.
81 had the money in the bank at the begin
ming Of the year, but a relative borrowed
e50O TO set up in business, and-and- But
you understand
"You mean you won't see the color Of
that money again, siri"
Exactly So"
"rm right down sorry to hear it, sir
But is there no way except this card play
ings Couldn't you put off them mon
keygees for year? Couldn't you tell 'em
that you were going to work hard and
save and pull things around? Knock of
my wage sir / don't want it. And put
me on to some harder work; / could do rs
much again as 1 dO.'
Tom rose to his feet somewhat excitedly,
pulling his waistcoat down and stifIening
his back, as though to show Of his phys
ical capacity for additional tolls.
Rubbish, Toni Sit down. Kindly
meant, but rubbish. I shall play tomor-
row night; if / lose / shall stop before
much damage is done; il l win I shall fol-
low my luck. There, my friend, let that
quiet your fears. Good night"
Good night sir. But promise me one
thing; if you are lucky, youll never play
for money again"
II promise"
"Then may you be lucky, sir, for this
once Good night, sir" And Tom dIsas-
pearod.
1.-THE beginning Of the reform, thought
Willoughby. Il wonder il he'll make me
sign the pledge next"
1t was late in the afternoon when Ton
drove the dog cart up to the front door.
"Put q little corn in" shouted Willough
by from his bedroom window, 'and q bas
ket. I shall want you to fetch Lightning
up for me in the Bent Garth"
Lightning was a horse with good dea
Of blood in him, very dear TO Willoughby
and often entered for steeplechases at The
minor race meetings
In "a few minutes they drove away. Ar
rived at the Bent Garth, Tom got dowI
/ with his basket of corn and Willoughb!
sat waiting i'm the trap on the high road.
| The Bent Garth was as its name i'm
] piled, bent field shaped like the letter !.
/ The horse was not to be seen; it was ~
/ doubt round the bend. Thither Ton
marched through the grass. He had hard
/ " got round the corner and out Of hi
masSr's sight when he came ON two mel
/ living on the ground-two men, one biz
] 4 u. Ia.
/ face the other q nondpscript of middle
height and no particular color. Tom recog
/ nized them both-old acquaintance of hi
vagrant days, and a brace of thorough
| going rascals.
/ "Hullor cried Tom.
"Bless me-" said the big fellow, IF !
amt old Sweepy, and looks quite respecta
bic tool Got a job on, old pail"
eyes; I've turned groom.'
"Lor, now, TO think of thatl Old Sweep.
turned grooml And looks quite re
/ formed, don't he? Well, it is pleasan
meeting old friends when they're gettin
up in the world. And where are You hang
ing out now;"
"At that big house this side Of the vii
lage."
''Alr. Willoughby'sl know him; fon'
of his glass and don't mind tipping poo
| fellow a shilling when he's on bit. He
/ a gentleman, he isl What are you goin
to do now with that basket"
Fetch up that horse for Mr.. Willoughb
| blook at"
"Tata then for the present. We shal
be at the village inn tonight. Perhap
you'll drop in and stand us a glass for oil
times, Sweepy, won't yer"
"No, I can't. Pm just off with Mr.. Wi
loughby and shan't be home till late"
"Going out for the hevening. l suppose
Got yer dress suit in the conveyance, an
too proud TO look at old matcsW
"Shut up your foolery. W6are going
Mr. Ferguson's; Pm only driving"
Mr.. FergusOn'sg I've heard tell Of hin
a great card playing gent. You1l hay
the cards out tonight, l reckon"
Likely enough"
"And what time will you be comm
'ome, if may ask the question:
A cold SILVER ran down Toms back q
he discerned the blackguard's thought
mot till daylight, ! should thinl
Goodbye
"GoodbyW cried the two rascals i'm
tating TOMS voice and then rolling ON Oh
grass with loud outlaws.
Odd ! hear voicesW said Mr.. Willougl
by, when Tom had brought Lightning u