BITS OF LIFE. 
4i3 
pines — the girl you've forgotten since you 
came into your confounded money ? Oh, I 
know what I'm talking about . While you were 
a poor medical student she was good enough 
for you. But now, since you are a millionaire, 
it's different. I wonder what she thinks of the 
performances of that peculiar class of people 
which she has been taught to worship — the 
Southern gentlemen ? I’m sorry, Hopkins, 
that I J m forced to speak about these matters, 
but you’ve covered it up so well and played 
your part so nicely that I would have sworn 
you were above such unmanly tricks.” 
Poor Tom ! T could scarcely keep from 
laughing outright to see him struggling 
against the effects of the opiate. lie was 
distinctly angry, and I didn't blame him. 
Tom had a Southern temper. Ilis eyes were 
open now, and they showed a gleam or two 
I WALKED OVER AND PUNCHED HIM ON THE JAW 
of fire. But the drug still clouded his mind 
and bound his tongue. 
ff C-c-confound you l ” he stammered. “ Fll 
s-smash you ! ” 
He tried to rise from his couch. With all 
his size he was very weak now. I thrust him 
back with one arm. He lay there glaring like 
a lion in a trap. 
That will hold you for a while, you old 
loony/’ I said to myself. I got up and lit my 
pipe, for I was needing a smoke. 
I heard a snore. I looked around. Tom 
was asleen again. I walked over and punched 
him on the jaw. He looked at me as pleasant 
and ungrudging as an idiot. I chewed my 
pipe and gave it to him hard. 
“ I want you to recover yourself and get 
out of my rooms as soon as you can,” I said, 
insultingly. “ I’ve told you what I think of 
you. If you have any honour or honesty 
left you will think twice before you attempt 
again to associate with gentlemen. She’s a 
poor girl, isn't she ? ” I sneered. “ Somewhat 
too plain and unfashionable for us since we 
got our money. Be ashamed to walk on 
Fifth Avenue with her, wouldn’t you ? 
Hopkins, you’re forty-seven times worse than 
a cad. Who cares for your money ? I don't. 
I’ll bet that girl doesn’t. Perhaps if you 
hadn't got it you'd be more of a man. As it 
is you’ve made a cur of yourself, and ” — I 
thought that quite dramatic — “ perhaps 
broken a faithful heart.” (Old Tom Hopkins 
breaking a faithful heart !) “ Let me be rid 
of you as soon as possible.” 
I turned my back on Tom and winked at 
myself in a mirror. I heard him moving, and 
I turned again quickly. I didn’t want a 
hundred and ninety-eight pounds falling on 
me from the rear. But Tom had only turned 
partly over and laid one arm across his face. 
He spoke rather more distinctly than before. 
“ I couldn’t have — talked this way — to 
you, Billy, even if I’d heard people — lyin’ 
’bout you. But jus’ soon's I can s-stand up 
I'll break your neck — don’ f'get it.” 
I did feel a little ashamed then. But it was 
to save Tom. When I 
explained it, we would 
have a good laugh over 
it together. 
In a few minutes Tom 
dropped into a sound, 
easy slumber. Every- 
thing was normal, and 
he was safe. I went 
into the other room and 
tumbled into bed. 
I found Tom up and 
dressed when I awoke the next morning. He 
was entirely himself again, with the exception 
of shaky nerves and a tongue like a chip. 
“ What an idiot I was ! ” he said, thought- 
fully. “ I remember thinking that quinine 
bottle looked queer while I was taking the 
dose. Have much trouble in bringing me 
round ? ” 
1 told him no. His memory seemed bad 
about the entire affair. I concluded that he 
had no recollection of my efforts to keep him 
awake, and decided not to enlighten him. 
Some other time, I thought, when he was 
feeling better, we would have some fun over 
it. 
When Tom was ready to go he stopped, 
with the door open, and shook my hand. 
“ Much obliged, old fellow,” he said, quietly, 
“ for taking so much trouble with me — and 
for what you said. I’m going down now to 
telegraph to the little girl.” 
