The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-11-08
TURN OF THE WHEEL,
DY BARRY PAIN.


and their Identification would be cmbar,
RAISING to their highly-respectable lela-
tions.
1t was on Sunday afternoon in Regent
park that the cabman encountered the
valet. They had not met for a long time
and exchanged greetings of sardonic kind:
the descent of the social scale is likely to
make men somewhat ironical at their own
expense. And then the cabman noting the
excessively out-of-work appearance OF his
friend, said
Come on a pretty thin streak, haven't
youy"
yes, I've been out some time now I've
still got a pound or two left but Pm maxi
ing it last out" (He had precisely two
shillngs and fourpence left, as a matter of
fact; but then the cabman is q married man
and ought not to lend money, as the valet
was aware.) "And I've got decent suit
OF clothes still, though, of course, don't
wear them to knock about in; they're for
when I'm getting a place or am trying to
keep it"
what threw you out this last time:'
"Oh, the usual" said the valet, laconic.
ally, and without shame.
well, I've chucked it myself Otherwise
we might-well, what do you think? One
wouldn't hurt us"
Not for me" said the valet. 81 swore
off when | got the sack. In fact, that's my
only chance to get another place and
lvlng-unless, of course, | write to dear
papa again, and I'd sooner cut my throat"
Tor the cabman was, as has been said,
married man, and therefore it was expedi-
ent that he should avoid the thing that had
made him a cabman. But it is to be feared
that the Wallets vows of total abstinence
were imaginary.
Then we'll have some tea somewhere.
l know place near here where they can
do you chop, and it's not too filthy
Its awfully good of you. But"
I've been in luck ey--backed a winner
at a very good price My missus' has a
brother in the stable You come along
The valet came along, and ate that which
was set before him. Then he sat, with his
head in his hands, smoking short cay,
silent, with grim and deadly look on his
face. Then he began solioquizing, bitter
ly, incoherently, and remis;scently
Cant stand dining IN hall. Too beastly
uncivilized. Charming girl that
Danced with her at the Masonic. She was
at the a. B. c. with us, too. . Cad,
they're gaining. Half length. Rowed-
well rowed'
He shouted the last words, half rising
from his place, and brought his hand down
hard on the table with clatter of the
coarse crockery. Rather less of that,
please" said sharp voice from behind
the counter. The out-of-worll valet sub
sided, replacing his pipe in his mouth, and
resuming his attitude of dependency.
Hold your row, you fool, said the cab
man, savagely. "What do you want to do
that for? Ii we're to get on to the old
days . no, look here, have You got
any chance of a place at all? That's what
we want to talk about"
''It was thinking about that which re-
minded me- l refused good berth yes
terday."
"Placed as you are, you know" he added,
delicately.
Couldn't help it. 1t was chap who
made money. That's the kind l look for
nowadays. I've got characters of a sort
that l know my work thoroughly and don t
steal the spoons, and so on But my trump
card is that | was for a year with Sells
borough. The new arrival likes to say:
YES very decent fellow-I got him from
Lord Scarborough And, mind you, Sells
borough has let me down very easily as to-
er-why l couldn't stop. This chap Tn
speaking of was called Smith. It's not a
name that suggests anything, but it struck
me that | knew the face. | told him the
best story l could, and he said he'd give
me fair trial if | would sign off drink al
together. Just at that moment | recog-
nizcd him and placed him. I'm afraid
can't take your situation, | said. He
glared at me. Why not:' he asked. 1t
happened that we were both standing up
at the time sat down with my back to
him and spoke to him over my shoulder
Smith, l said, Il wish you'd run over to
the kitchens and ask them why the devil
they can't send me what | order Yes!
member him? Of course you do. And
then he remembered me. He sort Of sanl
into the earth and called me sir Then
he told me how he'd made his little pile
ten years close savings and some phenome
nal luck in speculation on the top of it
And that's not bad chap, either. We
talked over the old times for awhile. lie
never asked me what had brought me down
in the world-he ought to know that
though. Presently he said that he'd hac
many and many sovereign from me, anc
If loan of ten or twenty would be any
convenience-well, cut that short anc
came away. Still, he's not bad chap, anc
l was civil enough to him. But coinci
dence of that kind brings things back. Sup
pose now"
ooh, it's too late to talk about that!
the cabman interrupted. What's the mex
step to be?'
"Don't know said the valet, drearily
81 wish now I'd kept my mouth shut an'
taken the place. wish I'd borrowed tn
beggars money; likewise, now | come t.
think of it, | wish l was dead"
"Well," said the cabman, you know
where to come if you run short before 20,
get work 1t wouldn't be much, but"
The valet stopped him, thanked him, an
appeared to recover his good spirits. That
all right" he said; 81 won't forget you"
Shortly afterwards they parted. TIL
valet spent two shillings that night on
combination of four ale and gin. But thi
detail-together with one or two other
that | have mentioned-the cabman onl
learnt afterwards at the inquest.-Blacl
and White.
No Reduction.