MR WELSH 327 



adorned with rings, whose name, given in the 

 first few moments of conversation, was Paddy 

 Welsh. 



" So you're off to the ould country on Thursday? " 

 said Mr Welsh. " And what are you doin' 

 to-morrow? " 



" Nothing," said Mr Giveen. 



" WeU, then," said Mr Welsh, " you're just the 

 boy afther me own heart, and I'll give you a thrate 

 you'll remember to your dyin' day." 



" And what's that? " asked the other. 



" I'll take you down to the City and Suburban 

 wid me, and give you a dinner and do you fine. 

 Whisht now, and don't be telHn' anyone! Do 

 you know what me thrade is? Well, I'm a book- 

 maker. You'll see me ma-ke maybe two hundred 

 pounds to-morrow. I'm not wan of the big 

 bookies; I just dale wid the ordinary men; 

 ha'ff-crowns and five-shillin's is what I mostly 

 take. Whisht now! and listen to me, and I'll 

 tell you what you can do. Faith, it's an idea that 

 has just struck me. Would you like to earn a 

 ten-pound note? " 



" Faith, wouldn't I? " 



" Well, you can come down and act as me 

 friend. Now, Hsten to me. We'll take our stand, 

 meseK on a tub and you beside me. I'll take the 

 bets, and you'll see the five-shiUin's and ha'ff- 

 crowns pourin' in; then, when the race is begun, 

 I'll lave you to mind the tub whilst I run round to 

 see the clerk of the coui'se." 



