172 THE MERRY GEE-GEE 



SO we could hear what passed ; and the 

 stranger, after apologizing for troubling, 

 etc., wanted to know If Jimmy could 

 oblige him with a winner or two, as he 

 had lost nearly all his money, principally 

 through backing Jim's mounts, and he'd 

 a wife and family, and lost his situation, 

 and so on — the old, old story. Yes, Jim 

 thought he could give him a good tip ; 

 but had he any money left ? Yes, about 

 a couple of sovs. in his pocket. Then 

 said Jimmy, " You darned well keep it 

 there." 



After very careful study and consider- 

 ation, I have come to the conclusion 

 that about five per cent, of the stony 

 brigade, consisting of those who have 

 lost their money and come down in the 

 world, are the victims of bad luck, or 

 are idle and muddlers, and the other 

 ninety-five per cent, can trace the reason 



