The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-14


 Strap uttered a dreadful groan and called for death. MT. Random suggested that is were better to call on the pawn broker and raise some money on the gold mounted sword. With the seven guineas that were brought back by the obedient friend and valet, Random went to a gam bling house and returned with 150 guineas, at sight of which Strap nearly lost his mind.
 Roderick Random became more gay than ever, bought clothes even more splendid than those bequeathed to Strap, and again beseiged an heiress, whose 2O,o00 pounds were encountered merely by gro- tesque figure, face almost as shrewish as her temper and tongue that would not be still.
 These defects were minimized so agree ably by her fortune that Random had many rivals, but he drove them away by suggestions as to his anxiety to fight for her favor. AS he had gained much fame by an exploit against highwayman, none cared to meet his sword, and he became such favorite with the lady that 1t was plain that he needed only to ask to gain her face. figure and fortune for his own.
 At this juncture Narcissa appeared on the scene, introduced into the world of London by her brother. She recognized him at once, but the squire did not dream that the famous beau was his aunt's former footman, and he was delighted to be admitted to Random's society.
 Roderick Random immediately aban- It. r1f ha hat nd aized all at once and in full measure the shame to which he had fallen. Quite losing his wits from love, he paid court to Narcissa and soon was transported with delight by finding that his love was returned.
 Now, however he met a rival who was not to be beaten out of the field easily. This was Lord Quiverwit, Who warned Narcissa's brother that Random was a beggar and fortune hunter. The squire at once carried Narcissa away into the country, giving no opportunity to her to see Random again. and 1t was by strata gem only that she succeeded in sending letter to him, promising she would marry none but him.
 Roderick Random at once sought Lord Quiverwit and forced a quarrel on him. They met with swords and at the first exchange, the lord lunged so skillfully that Random, feeling the blade cut through his side and seeing the point he had been run through.
 Furiously he shortened his own sword, closed and ran his adversary through the shoulder. Disappointed at missing his heart, he closed still more, withdrew his sword and struck him desperately in the face, disfguring it 1 hideously.
 ! Letting the woanded man sink to the | ground he stepped back and was as- | tonished to find that instead of hay 1 ing been transfixed, he had suffered nothing worse than an impalement of his shirt. the sword having cut merely 1 through the flesh of his side. i The impassioned lover now saw no way to gain Narcissa except by gaining fortune, and no way to gain for tune except by gambling. He tried the 1 method with such success that soon there was not a guinea left. Strap burst into tears and cried: What will become of you? I can earn comror- table subsistence anywhere as par | Der but you cannot stoop!
 i Straps anxious question about his master's future was answered next day when he was arrested for debt and locked up in the Marshalsea. It seemed l now to Roderick Random, cast-off child, 1 surgeons assistant, footman, private soldier and. gentleman, that fate had
 written "hnis" to his efforts and that a dark conclusion had come tq all his ambitions and to the pure and sweet dream of his love that had brought him back to manhood and character only to vanish in misery
 But fate that had laughed in his face