The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-01-28
HIS STRAIGHT TIP.

The Hon. Tommy Arden had
never known a days luck since he
married the sweetest and the best
girl in the world He had been a
sad rake in quiet fashion, and
lived in the best possible way, for as
long as any of the youngsters could
remember. Nobody quite knew
how he had done it, and nobody
particularly cared He was always
we'll dressed, always we'll shaved
and brushed up, always rode in the
best hansoms, ways dined at the
Cafe Royal with somebody, and
went everywhere. Everywhere"
meant the Empire till closing time,
afterward one smart dance, and then
flash club-he made a point of
never going to a respectable club
after dinner.
In the summer he always took a
turn in the row; was seen in the
lobby of the opera during one act; !;
was generally to be met at Sandown
and Kempton, and occasionally at
Ranelagh on Sundays; strolled about
the lawn at Cowes during the ragetta
week, and in the off season was
never seen, but said he was shoot
ing in the north till run over to
Ostend for hutter.
Where he lived was known to no
one. On what he lived was known
only to individuals separately to
whom he said had the devils own
luck. This did not mean he made
book, or if it did it was false, but
the general impression was that he
knew the inside of everything, and
that if he were not so scrupulous
about secrets and would only let his
friends stand in ottener he would
make their fortunes and his own.
His own explanation was that he
never made bet unless he knew
something, and that was how he
always won. The result was that
his advice was always asked. and
when he gave it always followed.
The real truth was the Hon. Tommy
had never made a bet in his life.
When he married he gave it all
up. He was truly attached to his
wife and abandoned everything for
her. He was no more seen at music
halls and flash clubs, and he dined
at home and never went out alone
atterward. Everybody thought it
would all come right, as they called
it, in six months; but it did not, and
to the surprise of everybody Tommy
got shabbier and shabbler in appear
ance, and was seen on omnibuses
and in the underground railway and
other inexpensive and bougeois
places. The result was his former
friends said he had married shrew,
and that he would kick over the
traces some day.
The truth was Tommy was in love
with his wife, and she was never so
happy as in his company, and moth
ing was so repellant to him as his
old associates and his old ways. But
virtue is its own reward, and the
| reward of virtue which the Hon.
Tommy experienced was a per-
petual shower of county court sum-
monses, tor his commissions for re
commencing stock brokers, adver-
tisements, wine merchants, tailors,
pictures and other recognized forms
of livelihood by which he had tried
to earn what he called respectable
living had not proved very remuner-
ative.
Things had arrived at this pass
when the brokers were put in for
two quarters rent. During the five
days allowed by law Tommy had
flown about to try and collect the
commissions due him, with which to
pay the fifty pounds that were so
expedlent to the quietlng of his blue
eyed and brown haired little wife,
who, though sadly troubled, had
taken his word for it that would be
"all right" His efforts were almost
in vain, and he went to see the
agent to explain the situation and
ask for time. He was lucky in only
seeing a sympathetic clerk, who
kindly pointed out to him that he
was entitled by law to an extension
of fifteen days. In his Joy at learn
ing this he confided his position tc
Mrs Tommy, who in her own swee
way, believing absolutely in her owl
love and the love of her husband
said:
But why bother, Tommy, darling
trying to earn the money!
How else l can get it, my dea
girl?
Oh. why not bet as youpsed 4,
do? They all say you
and have such lnGI1 ,
[ would whit =
Oh. hays S5
tfou~ ~ ~ .