Year: 1875

| cure me, A0u tue way IL came ABOUT was
this: There was TO be an annual dinner of
the club held at tho Crystal Palace on a
certain day in May, soon after had taken
my university degree. This dinner had
set my heart on attending; but when the
afternoon of the day arrived, 1 received q
letter from some country cousins, saying
that they were coming up TO town that day,
and begging me to meet them at the train.
This was pleasant; but as there was no
help for ii, endeavcred to calm my ruff
fled temper with the assistance of my
hookah and so far succeeded that was
not actually rude to my relatives while os.
corting them across the town. When had
thus done my duty, began to consider
what 10 do with myself, and what particu-
lar establishment should favor with my
custom for dinner that evening. Just as
had settled this important matter, who
should meet coming around a corner but
my friend Jack Hilyar, the very man, OF
all others, 1 should have wished to come
upon at the moment. Jack was as good a
fellow as ever breathed-pleasant and light
hearted, but with plenty Of stuff in him
| for all that. As luck would have ii, he had
not yet dned, so we arranged TO have a
quiet little dinner together, and good chat
in tho smoking room aflerward. We had


finished the second course, and were dis
cussing the wines and dessert, when a stran-
| ger entered the room and seated himself at
the table next TO me. Now, all my life I
have been physiognomist-not, perhaps,
| in the ordinary sense of the word, as do
not assert that I can read a mans general
character from his appearance-but this 1
can tell at first glance, whether map Is
| potentially my enemy or my friend. In
this judgment at first sight have never
yet found myself TO be mistaken. The
| very moment the stranger entered the
room where we sat l conceived an intense
dislike for Lima feeling that that man, if
ever he were to cross my path, would
| prove q determined and formidable foe.
| At glance we could see that he was an
American. The sharp, eagle face, the
souchng gait, and above all, the intensely
free-and-easy manner, indicated his ma
tionality beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Putting three chairs together, he stretched
himsclfalong them and set himself to stare
calmly and persistentiy Ii, Jack and my
SELF We we're partly amused and partly
annoyed at the insolence of the man but,
as we had finished our wine, we adjourn
ed TO the smoSing-room. Soon afer the
American followed us into the other room,
and reared himselfup against the mantel-
piece, while he gave out, for the benefit
of all present, his opinion on things in
general. Jack, who had got over his first
feeling Of disgust, seemed highly to enjoy
the mans eccentricity, and to wish TO draw
him out as much as possible. Soon he
grew tired of this amusement, so we re-
sumed the talk we had been engaged in on
the subject Of the Alpine Club. Jack was
thinking of joining it, and in reply TO his
questions l gave glowing description of
all its glories. The harsh voice OF the
American broke upon our ears with the
remark, Il calclate the Alpine Club is
tarnation humbug.' Jack looked delight
ed, and, giving sly glance at me, proceed
ed to draw out our friend once more.


"I hope, sir he rejoined in a most po-
lite tone, that you will give your reasons
for thai opinion, as had thought of becom-
ing a member but, of course, would not
do so il conv inced that the whole concern
was a humbug.'


"'Wall stranger, you could not do
knowinger thing than stay as you air.
guess they've named the thing wrong.
1t should be "Brag Company, Limited"
Some 'tarnal dufler that calls himself an
A. e. goes up the mountain that all the
folk near have known for years, and then
writes to all the European papers to say
that he has made a first ascent. I reckon
they've raised the price of every darned
thing in Switzerland close on fifty per cent.
Then they're such cheeky cusses to meet
and the greater The duner the checker he
is. DON'T do it, slranger-don't do it,.


"While this was going on, l sat by silent,
but rapidly losing my temper. At last
could stand il no longer, and burst out
with, This is mere vague abuse, sir. bet
you any sum of money that you choose to
name that will select a better mountain
eer from the members Of the club than
any you can name. Is that fair oIer2
The Alpine Club against the world


"The Yankee looked me over from head
TO foot, and then drawled out, wall, stran-
ger, guess I'll take your bet, if you'll let
the mountaineering be between you and
me. lay you 500 that before this time
three years I'll have cut you out in tall
climbing


81 had spoken hastily, and was perfect
ly taken aback at being closed with so
quickly. However, was in for 1t now,
4 l., A
coolly as I could said: Just as you like.
Let the bet be between you and me. The
sum you name will be as good as any 9TH
er, but of course must be lodged by both
parties before the matter is finally arrang-
ed.'


al caplate you're right, stranger. 1t
won't be long before you hear from me
about it. What do you say your name isH'


"'Forbes-Harry Forbes


"'Mine is Zachariah Johnston, of New
York City. Wall, 1 guess we're to meet
here on this day three years, and which
ever has first done the talest and hardest
mountain is to have the stakes. Shake
hands on it, stranger-shake hands on it,


"Here was obliged reluctantly TO stretch
out my hand to be grasped by the bony
fingers Of the other. Amer this, he tossed
the end of his cheroot into the fireplace and
sauntered out of the room whistling 'Yank-
go DOODLE


"The whole affair had not taken more
than five minutes, so that Jack had not
had time to interfere. His face, at the mo-
ment when the American left the room
was a study for an artist. Astonishment,
amusement, and a sort of tragic horror