Year: 1876

being honored with the friendship and
confidence of our sporting contributor,
Mr.. jeffrey johnson, who, as he afterward
informed me, always studied man a long
time before admitting him to his list Of
intimates. How he discovered that l was
worthy the distinction never found out,
principally because never troubled my
self about the matter, it being quite suffi-
cient to bear the weight of the honor with
out theorizing as to its origin. For. there
was no Disgusting the fact, Mr.. Jeffrey
johnson was bore, and that of the most
augeriferous kind. He had been an as.
sistant in linen drapery establishment,
but finding hard work irksome and not
particularly remunerative, he took to
backing horses, and by somewhat curl
Gus combination of circumstances in due
time arrived at the distinction of being
"Pluto" of the Bradawl. Pluto" you
must know, was the signature chosen by
johnson when he entered on his prophetic
duties, and his reasons for assuming so
dismal a non de plum were characteristic.


"Well. you see, Pluto was writer, for
remember seeing some books by him
once on stall-Lives of foreign coves.
think-and my guvnor, who kept the shop
used to look after, always was saying.
AS rich as Pluto and Creases.' Pm awful
fond OF creases. and have 'em often for
breakfast but don't know how anybody can
call 'em rich. and besides they wouldn't do
for signature. So every reader of mine
is bound to be rich if he takes my advice,
and as the title has the advantage of not
being understood by backer, fancy you
can't better it,"


You may think am overdrawing john
sons character, or that his ignorance was
assumed, but can assure you such is not
the case; and may as well remark that
have heard much worse mistakes made by
more prominent prophets than "Pluto."


He always said in public that who took
his tips were bound to grow rich; but one
day, after | had gained his confidence. he
advised me "never to meddle with the
game" but always to keep my money in
my pocket.


at amt good thing for the sharps
even, at the end of the year but Of course,
I'm obliged to bear up for the sport. or l
might have to leave off prophesying."


1t was not very often that johnson found
out the winner until after the race, al
though he would alter his tips week by
week. so that by the time Derby Day ar
rived he had chosen nearly all the starters
in what he used to call 1.-THE blue riband of
the turf" but when he did happen to
mention the successful horse, if only new
er so vaguely, his self-gratulations were
caution


When l first became acquainted with
him. johnson was changing out" at Peck
ham; but shortly before the incident
which forms the burden of my story he
started an establishment in the neighbor-
hood of Bedford-row, and never ceased
talking of the advantages of the situation,
the eommodousness OF his mansion. and
the many general advantages which those
who affect the suburbs.


As our friendship ripened he would re-
peatedly impress upon me the ad-
visibility of dining with him. but. though
was quite willing to go, he never made
me anything like definite offer until one
day, when probably warned by some
sparkling" which the Bradawrs proprie-
tor had sent up in a fit of insanity or inn
pulsve generosity for which we were to
suffer afterwards, johnson said:


"Now look here. old fellow. you must
come and dine with me on Monday. To-
days Thursday, and I'm sure you can
make your arrangements all right. Be-
sides, my little lady sadly wants to see,
you. I've told her what good fellow
you are, and she says you must come"


OF course | consented. and on Monday
went down into the city especially pre-
pared for the event. By-and-by "Pluto"
danced into my room, as was his wont,
and seizing my hand, said:


"Hallo. old boy, how we'll you look
Been to christeningp That's how you
must come to my place, and astonish my
little lady. Now, mind, you really must
come one of these days. I've made up my
mind for it--and so has Mrs. johnson"


With that he departed, leaving me in
what may be fairly called mixed mood
At last mirth prevailed over anger, and I
laughed long and loudly at my ludicrous
position. l had been telling them at home
of the swell place l was about to visit,
and my inventive faculty was much taxed
to find suitable replies to their queries
when l returned. U had been loafing
about. ashamed to go to my usual haunts,
as had given all my acquaintances for
NAL notice OF the forthcoming dinner. To
the deputy sub-edtor of an obscure and
not particularly healthy weekly paper an
event indeed.)


My inventive faculty was sadly put to
the test after this. Many fellows were
anxious to know what sort of place John
son had. | was examined tor weeks on
the subject, and in sheer desperation used
to tell the most remarkable stories. Even
tually the house near Bedford row OBJ
tanned the reputation of being like fairy
palace inside, johnson was regarded as a
secret millionaire who only wrote for
pleasure. Mrs. and Master johnson were
believed to be beings Of wondrous beauty
and Joys forever, most sumptuously APP
pareled; and Yes, WAS responsible
for it ALL johnson was happily quite inn
previous to ridicule, and would talk up to
my descriptions in a most marvellous
manner. But the more we spoke on the
matter the more anxious was to have
glimpse at the secret abode, and at last an
opportunity offered.


Walking one Sunday morning in the Vi
cinity of Grays Inn, suddenly encoun-
tered johnson, with an enormous pile OF
prayer-books under one arm and chubby
youngster under the other. To account
for this latter somewhat peculiar mode OF
progression-even for jeffrey Johnson
| must state that teh weather was muddy,


lcoNrINuEp ON FOURTH FACE.