THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



accompanied his father to one of the Newmarket Meetings — 

 all of which he attended — and was thus addressed by him at 

 its close : — " I have lately seen, in my letter-bag, a considerable 

 number of letters, addressed to you, bearing the Cambridge 

 post mark, which leads me to believe you have some scores 

 left unpaid in that town, in spite of the handsome allowance 

 you received from me. However, as you spent your money in 

 good society, and left a fair name behind you in the College, 

 I shall freely forgive you, if my suspicions prove to be just. 

 To-morrow morning, then, we will breakfast at Cambridge, on 

 our return to town ; and if, in two hours after our arrival there, 

 you will give me a list of the entire of your debts, they shall all 

 be embodied in one cheque, at sight." My friend was placed 

 in rather a trying position. The entire of his debts — and his 

 father laid strong emphasis on the epithet — amounted to 

 above £800, a sum greatly exceeding, as he thought, his liberal 

 father's expectations ! Then what was to be done ? To have 

 given in a mutilated list would have been deceiving himself, by 

 deceiving his father ; so he took courage, and boldly gave in the 

 aggregate amount. His generous parent took his cheque-book 

 from his pocket, and having drawn on his banker for the 

 required amount, never afterwards mentioned the subject in the 

 presence of his son ! ' 



Sir John, — ' And what efiect had all this on your friend ? ' 



Webber. — 'The best possible effect; he has been a prudent 

 man ever since. But, speaking of old college friends, let me ask 

 you, Raby, how you like my friend Hargrave.' 



Frank. — ' Very much, indeed ; he is my most particular 

 ally. He is supposed to be the best horseman and sportsman, 

 combined, in the University ; and, in every respect, a good 

 fellow.' 



Webber. — ' And don't you like Topthorn and Rupert ? ' 



Frank. — ' The best horses in Oxford,' 



Sir John. — ' Barring Achilles and the General, Frank ; but I 

 suppose your modesty induces you to place those of your friend 

 first ? ' 



Frank. — ' They are generally first in the field. Sir John.' 



Sir John. — ' That may be ; Hargrave is an older hand than 

 you are over a country ; but, with equal men upon them, I 

 should be inclined to back Achilles against Topthorn in a severe 

 run.' 



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