The herald., 1896-02-23
QahkER BFaStekS.

Charles Goodhead and Robert Coxham,
professionally known as Chaker Brothers,
felt that they distinctly owed one to Mr..
Justice Shortt. case in which they We're
implicated had come before his lordshp
few months previously, and the Judge
had gone out of his way to say some very
nasty things about them. He had alluded
o.them, and to their class, as public pests,
scourges of society, etc. adding other
polite titles of the same description. which
were quite uncalled for, and which had
nothing whatever to do with the point of
law on which his lordship was pronouncing
Now this was all very fine. But Mr.
Justice Shortt was notoriously prejudiced in
the matter, and it was a shame (said
Chalkcr Brothers. that he should be al
lowed TO vent his personal prejudices from
his seat on the bench. In his private
capacity of course, he had an equal right
with every other citizen to object to horse
racing and its attendant circumstances
but he had no right to air those views
from the bench i'll a manner calculated
to injure them seriously in their business
Turf tipstering might not be the most
elevated of professions. Still, honestly
conducted, it was as good as many others
And so long as horse racing was recog-
rized institution. so long as royal Princes
ran and backed their own horses, to say
nothing of Primo Ministers and other
lesser fry, it was absurd to make a set
against turf tipsters. Goodness knew that
their tips were cheap enough. No one
could call is pence an eXorbitant charge
for putting a customer up to good thing.
And as for saying that they (the turf tip
sters) encouraged gambling, the statement
was ridiculous. People would gamble Just
the same, whether there were tipsters or
not All that tipsters did-was to give the
ignorant plunger better chance of bring
ing off his coup than he could ever have
LODI eih
they promised greater certainty than this
IN their advertisements. But what of that?
Did advertisements ever adhere to literal
truth? If that were demanded, there would
be an end of all advertising. An adver-
tiscment was not a warranty. And if a
customer purchased tip on the strength
of an advertisement. well, there was the
good legal axiom, caveat cmptor.
But the time was at hand when something
more than verbal protest wds to be ad-
dressed to the notorious Chaker Brothers.
One morning, just as they were leaving their
private house-for they lived together at
Blcomsbury-to go to the office, they were
met by Dick. red, breathless, and excited.
Good Lord, Dick! What the deuce is
up?" inquired Charles Goodhead catching
the lad by the shoulder.
There's two bokes awaitin' for you at
the horfice,' said Dick. gasping. ''And-
end--"
wen, WHO are lney I. asked ROBERT COX
ham.
Dunno. sir. I never went in to hin
quire. Didn't like the looks on 'em, sir.
And when jest caught sight of 'em through
the door of the lobby I made tracks and
came on here. They're two big gents of
mlingtary cut, and they both carry 'orse-
whips"
'Ha, indignant parents, I suppose" re-
marked Charles Goodhead.
''Tho devl"' said Robert Coxham.
"Are they more than match for us,
Dick?' asked Gooodhead.
81 should say one of 'em could smash the
both on you" replied Dick, with emphatic
candor.
The two partners interchanged glances.
Robert CoXham trust his hands deeper into
his trouser pockets and whistled.
Guess we'd best take holiday from bust
ness to-day. Charlie" he observed.
Charles Goodhcad said nothing for min
ute or two, but stood with knitted brows, /