AND OTHER SKETCHES 199 



At last Mrs. Peel, pretending to have just noticed the 

 absence of his supports, warmly congratulated him on 

 his ability to walk alone, when suddenly, as if shot, poor 

 Jack fell against a tree near where he was standing and 

 declared that the pain in his legs was so awful he couldn't 

 move another step. The next moment he started on the 

 jump for the house, grabbed his crutches, and for many 

 a week thereafter declared he could not navigate without 

 them. Our old friend was a good sort, fond of the sports 

 of the turf and ever ready to back his opinion. He was 

 one of the old guard who were "aye ready" to start, 

 wherever the meeting might be. He had a host of friends 

 and none who knew him but found him a thorough sports- 

 man in the truest sense of the word. Greater praise than 

 that no man deserves. 



