The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-07
THE EARL'S WAGER.

hurhan, at the eleventh hour. for a large
sum. and he could ind no boOkmaker TO
take his bet. The price quoted in the
newspapers was 10 ] on His lordship
offered 10 lay these odds I'm four thou
sands. e. 10000 TO $4,000. But all the
big bookes were full up and did not care
now 10 disturb their arrangements by so
heavy a wager. one or two offered 10
take him in much smaller sums; but the
earl declined. having no desire TO bet
on a trivial scale. Either a good plunge
for him. or nothing. He did not very often
back horses; but when he did, he liked
backing them handsomely-on heroic
lines. II was no fun for him to hazard a
pittance. He only enjoyed the excitement
when the stakes were big.
Everybody, Of course. knows Lord
Blankworth and his dominant character
istics Now. indeed, they are considerably
toned down by years and experience, and
the public no longer hears Except his
toricaIy) Of the many wild pranks which
were once associated with his name. At
the time OF which we write, however he
was just in the heyday of his youth. and
at the very acme of his eccentric courses.
EXtravagant lmpulsive, hair-brained; al
ways doing the maddest things, and tax
ing the greatest delight in shocking the
Phil.stines, he was nevertheless a good
fellow, a true sportsman and man Of
the highest honor. No one in England
was more popular with the sporting pub
lie, and no one enjoyed with this same
public a higher, or more deserved repu-
tation for being "as straight as they make
EN-"
The earl, then, was very much annoyed
and disappointed when he found himself
unable TO get his big bet taken. ImpuI-
sive, as, usual, he had only thought Of
laying the wager at the last minute; and
Wnen he found himself baked in his
intention, his chagrin was as great as
his impulse had been keen and sudden.
However, there was no help for IL. You
cannot make people take bets if they do
not wish TO do so. Therefore, the earl
was simply obliged to put up with his
disappointment, and content himself with
curSlng the lack OF spOrtmansh1p dis
played by the recusant boOkes. Having
thus relieved his feelings, he did his best
to dismiss the subject from his thoughts.
Before the race, however, ii was again
recalled to him. on the very evening be-
fore the City and Suburban, the earl,
who was a bachelor, happened to be din
ing alone at home. He was just smoK-
ing a pOstprandial cigar when his butler
came and informed him that a gentleman
had called TO see him on very pressing
business. Lord Blankworth asked what
was the gentlenans name. He wouldn't
give any name. The butler had informed
him that his lordship couldn't see him at
this hour but the gentleman wouldn't
"Dl ne say what his business wasY.
''Sl.G III had to do with the racing at
Fps ~ tomorrow, but wouldn't give no
more arc.ae information
Coon 0lld the fellow" said the good
naturei earl We'll, show him in here,
Symouds."
in. He was an oldish man, well dressed.
and of gentlemanly aspect. He bowed
politely 10 Lord Blankworth as he took
the chair which had been placed for
him, then proceeded to apologize for in
truding at so unreasonable an hour. His
voice and manner We're refined and pleas
ant, and altogether he gave the impress
sion of being well-bred man.
you Will forgive me, my lord" he
said. "for disturbing you at this time Of
night. But my business is of a nature
which will not keep. 1t is connected with
the race for the City and Suburban to-
morrow"
The earl nodded.
Il see it stated in sporting paper"
the other went on, "and l have since
heard it from private source, that your
lordship wishes to back the field for a
substantial amount. May I venture to
ask whether this report is correct?"
well, IL Is no secret" replied the earl
looking the stranger up and down, ana
wondering what was in the wind. L
don't mind admitting that I want to lay
10000 to $4,000
And you cannot get the bet taken?"
His lordship answered this time rather
curtly, seeming TO suggest that he con-
sidered it rather cool of a stranger to
ask him these questions about his private
/ affairs.
4 think you will pardon me" the otaer
said, quickly, noticing the earls manner.
when l disclose to you the nature of
my business wish to make you an
offer, my lord"
"What offer?'
THAT you lay the wager with me-"
Lord BlankwOrth looked at him verv
| hard and rubbed his chin. The offer came
upon him unexpectedly, and he scarcely
hTt,l- 80
/ of enjoying his big plunge, after ali
caused him a certain thrill of pleasure
But his fellow was a perfect stranger:
/ he knew nothing about him; and. of
course, it was necessary to exercise eau
us this offer genuine?" asked the earl.
quite, my lord"
''Gmph! You viii forgive my mention
/ ing the fact, but you are total stranger
4 to me. I don't even know your name.
/ and this is a heavy matter"
Just so. Well, my lord, I have very
! particular reason for not disclosing my
/ Then l am afraid" interposed Lord
/ Blankworth. shaking his head, that fur
/ Their conversation upon this subject be-
| tween US viii only be wasted "
Il beg you to hear me out before vou
/ finally refuse my offer" said the other.
! speaking eagerly, and with some excite
! ment. Il cannot disclose you nv name
! for absolutely imperative reasons. Bur
I of course, l never expected YOU to bet
| with me in these circumstances, unless I
! could afford you some satisfactory guar
! antee."
And you can give me such a guaran-
YES my lord. The most secure Of an
! I have brought with me $4,000 in cash:
and I propose to deposit Il "a your lord,
ships hands"
"Eh?" calculated the earl. TO deposit
! the $4,000 with me now?''
Certainly"
The other. as he spoke. lived into his
/ breast pocket and produced a leather
case, from which he extracted a Bundle
/ OF crisp-sounding notes, and handed them
/ across 10 his lOrdship
The earl took them, counted them
| through and examined them They were
Bank Of England I'd, notes, eight in number,
/ ness there could be no mistake
| You find the amount correct AMI the
/ notes in order2' asked the stranger.
| Lord Flankworth replied in the afirma-
/ tive.
II may be allowed TO say" the other
continued, in an earnest voice, that your