MASONRY AND SINGERS 



Among the side shows which he ran was that of an 

 amateur phrenologist ; and he would tell the bumps 

 for five shillings a time. I had to give way and have 

 my chart from him. It was a very elaborate affair, 

 written in a big schoolboy hand. He endowed me with 

 all sorts of vices, and concluded with the extra- 

 ordinary advice that, owing to " various tendencies," 

 I must avoid " pork and all other stimulating food." 

 That reformed me. 



Sometimes I used to sound him about racing, and he 

 had all the narrow prejudices against it ; but he was 

 so desperate to do everything to get customers that he 

 asked me if I would take him out to the racecourse, 

 as there was a small meeting to take place at the time. 

 I put him off, and suggested someone else who would 

 show him. He then asked me if I knew of a winner, 

 to which I replied I thought I did, but wished I had 

 eaten my words when I saw him go to his till and fill 

 his pockets, saying he was determined to be a sports- 

 man, to be a man and back a horse the same as others. 

 What I had brought upon myself leading this poor chap 

 astray ! It took me about three-quarters of an hour 

 to make him put the money back and compel him only 

 to take enough to pay his expenses and limit himself 

 to two half-sovereigns in the way of punting. It will 

 scarcely be believed that I told him if he did not put 

 the money back at once, although it was his to do 

 as he hked with, he should not have a bet at all. I 

 would point him out to bookmakers as a dangerous man 

 to have anything to do with, and if I saw him persistent 

 I would tell the owners not to run their horses. He 

 believed every word, and at last begged me not to give 

 him away, as it would injure him in his business. 



There were some brilliant men in the law and 

 Government who would have adorned any country's 



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