Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-25
THE EVENING STORY.
Bet and Betterment.

IL JouTnalStS waiting for the rate OF
specials" and "pars'' left in the aft
ernoon with some daily" in hope Of
acceptance before morn, and equally
convenient for finding chum who
would stand a drink when rejection left
the pocket light and the heart heavy.
Gathered together there tonight were
a dozen of twenty shabby. down-at-heel
men. as they had gathered night after
night, during several years, deeming
themselves lucky If five shillings repre-
scented their days work. fortunate If it
reached two shillings, and not unfor-
tunate If it reached one
Sometimes. but these were rare events.
happy idea brought in even as much
as guinea, but the majority were salts
ned II they gained enough for a drink
and the money that would buy a nights
lodging at Rowton House.
They were a happy-eo-lucky set a
Kind Of slate-club in which there was
a perpetual share OUT the HAYES
Lending to the have nots," and it was a
poor kind of day in which, by some kind
OF success. they did not manage among
tnem drink and a lodging for all.
Occasionally a passerby, on the regular
stan of some paper. caught a glimpse
OF the group in the bar through the
swinging doors and dashed by quickly.
muttering Poor beggarsr' and all the
more quickly lest one Of them should
dash out rapidly and request loan.
For this confraternity were past mas
tiers in the art of borrowing; sometimes
oy use OF tale of woe sometimes on
the strength OF CHEEKY mention of 1.-The
almost certain prospect of success"
but tonight they were laughing in care
less glee. for one of their number was
retailing the way in which he had that
day had the new editor of a popular
weekly.
Used to write for your paper. SIR"
said but. well. you know, there arose
another editor who knew not Joseph.
And it's been the same all round. Fleet
street isn't what it used to ben He told
me he couldn't give me any work then,
but he politely added If I'd send any
thing he'd see. So told him 1 couldn't
even afford pens and paper and ink
just now, but if he'd let me have a
little toward getting 'em I'd write him a
column and he could take it out of the
money. I said / was sure that l knew
just what he wanted. And he took the
hint and lent me shillings.'
A roar of laughter followed. and some
of the ) shillings went in drinks, and
while emptying their glasses an innocent.
smooth-faced. blue-eyed. boyfsh-llooking
fellow formerly well paid on a monthly
give an exhibition of pugilistic skill at
the expense of his editors eyes and feel
ings) exclaimed:
IT wish I'd some of your cheek. Tre-
hearne! l don't believe there's a man in
Fleet street or out of 1t you couldn't in
terview and borrow money from. You're
q marvel!
"I don't believe there isl" said Ire
hearne. smilingly. There must be
something very pathetic about me. or
else it's little way I have"
II believe 1 know one fellow that even
Trehearne couldn't tap" interposed Jen-
kins, a man who for shabbiness was the
show-piece even of that threadbare
group.
who is he. them" challenged Ire
to bet on it that whoever he is I'll get
him to lend me something"
"Done!' said Jenkins. How much?'
Five bob to drink! Now what's his
Manner
Hes q man just come up from the
ing firm. as their literary adviser, and
when I knew Of his appointment l wait
ed about to get a word with him. But
as soon as I began to speak he looked
at me with a cool stare and cut me
short with, What do you want me to
do for your I stammered out that I was
in want. and he simply stared me up
and down. and said, All. you look as IL
you ought to be used to it by now. Good
morning."
There was no laugh now. This was IN
teresting. 1t might have been one Of
"Brute!" said Trehearne. Whats his
name?"
"Pinster," answered Jenkins. Comes
from Sheffield. And 1 bet you"
hearne's face had suddenly flushed, and
then zone aShen 1ray
"Pinster." he muttered. "And-and
from shefheld, did you say?"
yes" said Jenkins. Want to cry of
now? Hesw ,. turning ming to the rest
mo, not mer' said Trehearne. de-
liberauely. TIHnot-want-to-cry-
1 do know something about the chap but
that doesn't matter. I'll tackle him-at
least I'll see. How long will you give
me?"
"A week" said Jenkins.
Right, five bob to drink! Jenkins.
I'm afraid you'll have to stand that
drink"
and departed.
Five days later. J
"seen anything of Trehearne?' said
jenkins to the rest that evening. I'm
getting anxious about my bet. It's funny
he's never been in once since ias'
Friday"
Cant bring it off. perhaps. and dom
like to own up," sneered another. tits
just like Trehearne. He's always toe
cocksure." IN r..
hearne didn't come.
He had done many a thing that had
pared down the finger nails of his manli-
ness and self-respect. but this was going
to cut into the quick itself. over ano
over again he had jauntily sauntereo
I'D the street in which the wen haow w !
nrenn;ses of Wrexton's were situated bui
~ the door his heart failed him and ne
Once he had even gone within. but
a. tho last moment, In a choked voice
he had asked for a gentleman Wnon
he knew to be out, having Just ,,, SOL
him in Fleet street. ana 'nen Wi Ae'
away. .r.r;saoone uca
'o", .hail have to lose the bet ne
..sraa this morning. II was a fool
to undertake It II I'd only been SOBER
I wouldn't have dre dream uso o. the grant
n,rence as he said 1t. and suddenly
i've how who has been hesitating by
The side Of a bath. he plunged In boldly
md asking for Mr.. Pinster, sent up his
name. and in another minute Ire
h h,,aies was Ia not State ens Of asstasion
M Pinster looked at the piece OF
ansr IN which the name was written,
and started as II he were stung.
Jack Trehearne" he muttered. In
dignantly. How dare heF And AFTER
al aw yinse YOU see him. sir?" said the boy
Tell him I'll see him hanged nrst:
exclaimed MT. Pinster. with his fair
face flushed with wrath. And away
the boy leaped to the mt