Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-07-26
HIS STRAIGHT TIP.

ion, and had 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 partic-
ularly cared. He was always well
dressed, always we'll shaved and brushed
up, always rode in the best hansoms,
always dined at the Cafe Royal with
somebody, and went everywhere.
Every where" meant the Empire till
closing time, afterward one smart
dance, and then flash club-he made
a point of never going to respectable
club after dinner.
In the summer he always took 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 regatta week, and in the off season
was never seen, but said he was "shoot-
ing in the north till run over to Ostend
for flutter."
Where he lived was known to no one.
On what he lived was known only to in
dividuals separately to whom he said he
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 oftener he would make
their fortunes and his own. His own
explanation was that he never made a
bet unless he "knew something" and
that was how he always won. The re.
suit was that his advice was always
asked, and when he gave it always fol.
lowed. The real truth was that the
Hon. Tommy had never made 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 afterward. Everybody
thought it would all come right, as they
called it, in six months; but it did not
and to the surprise of everybody Tom
my got shabbier and shabbier in appear
ance, and was seen on omnibuses and
in the underground railway and Other
inexpensive and bourgeois places. The
result was his former friends said he
had married shrew, and that he would
kick over the traces some day.
Tho f,.11 n rTp,ornyy xuoo in 1o,,a ~
his wife, and she was never so happy as
in his company, and nothing was so re
pellant to him as his old associates and
his old ways. But virtue is its own re
ward, and the reward of virtue which
the Hon. Tommy experienced was per
petual shower of county court sum
monses, for his commissions for recon
mending stock brokers, advertisements
wine merchants, tailors, pictures ani
other recognized forms of livelihood by
which he had tried to earn what hi
called a respectable living had not proved
very remunerative.
Things had arrived at this pass wher
the brokers were put in for two quar-
ters' rent. During the five days allowed
by law Tommy had flown about to try
and collect the commissions due to him
with which to pay the fifty pounds tina
were so eXpedient to the quieting of hi
blue eyed and brown haired little wife
who, though sadly troubled, had takel
his word for it that it would be "al
right" His efforts were almost in vain
and he went to see the agent "to explain
the situation" and ask for time. He wa
lucky in only seeing sympathetic clerk
who kindly pointed out to him that h,
was entitled by law to an extension o
fifteen days. In his joy at learning thi
he confided his position to Mrs. Tommy
who in her own sweet way, believing
absolutely in her own love and the low,
of her husband, said:
"But why bother, Tommy, darling
trying to earn the money!"
"How else can get it, my dear girlg
"Oh, why not bet as you used to do
They all say you are SO clever and hav
such luck; ! am sure you would win /
all in next to no time"
"Oh, l have given up all that sort o
thing, and hate it more than | can tel
you. 1t is not to be thought of in con
nection with you"
"Oh, nonsense, Tommy! You mus
not let me ruin you; and | am sure al
the very best people bet. Horse racin
is a noble sport; and, though you neve
confess it to me, you must have made
lot of money at it."
my dear child, it can't be done now.
II do not know how, or / would g
and win you a fortune. How do yo
bet?'
81 don't bet!'
Don't be sillyl How used you I
bet? l always wanted to know. Doesn
the bookmaker lay against all th
horses"
eyes"
"And do you back all the horses!'
Good heavens! No. If you did tha
how could you win?'
"Why? The bookmaker lays againi
oil the horses, and he always win
doesn't he?
Eyes, the bookmaker always wins"
"Well, then, if you follow the sam
rule and back all the horses, you ar
sure to win with one of themT'
MY dear child, no woman ever coul
understand betting, and l am sure, q
all women in the world, have no desir
that you should"
But if you won't bet yourself, VIII
not give others the benefit of your expt
rience? You know everybody, and al
sure that they would be glad to pay yo
a commission if they won-which woul
be better than being robbed out Of CON
missions by wine merchants"