A SOCIAL PROBLEM. 65 



glanders are often not discovered for a considerable 

 while after the disease has affected a horse, and an 

 animal may go lame at any time : so possibly Crossley 

 was innocent of any knowledge of his horse's condition, 

 and certainly he so persuaded Flutterton, as their sub- 

 sequent partnership in the steeplechaser Bullfinch — 

 over which poor Flutterton came so sad a pecuniary 

 cropper — sufficiently proves. 



Crossley was dreadfully cut up about these two 

 chargers, and vowed that he would gladly return the 

 price, if he had it; and as he had not, it is impossible to 

 say that his anxiety was feigned, or that he would not 

 have kept his word if he could. 



We of the IMeadowmere knew very little of him, except 

 as a gentleman rider, and that knowledge was chiefly, 

 gained in London. Crossley is a member of a good 

 club, and of the Drake, which some will maintain to be 

 a good club likewise, while others will hold a contrary 

 opinion. He was put up some time ago for the Mutton 

 Chops, the popularity of which pleasant resort is well 

 known ; but the story as to there having been ten 

 members of the committee at the election when his 

 name came up for ballot, and eleven black balls in the 

 ballot-box, is manifestly an exaggeration. 



As no one has the least idea where he gets a shilling 

 from, the supposition that his manner of livelihood is 

 queer, if not crooked, must obviously be gratuitous ; and 

 Saddler, who was in the regiment with him, has little to 

 say when we ask for information, as, the first covert 



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