The Argosy — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Edina. 29 “ You are late to-night, Jetty.” “Yes, sir,” replied the carpenter, decreasing his pace to that of the speaker. ‘I had to put some new shelves into one of the kitchen cupboards at Eagles’ Nest, and it has taken me longer than I thought for.” “ All going on well there?” continued the Tiger. “ First rate,” said Jetty. ‘They had a great party this after- noon; one of those new-fashioned kettledrums. Such an entertain- ment it was! Such beautiful dresses !” “I thought the son, Charles Raynor, was keeping his terms at Oxford,” resumed the Tiger, after giving himself time to digest the information touching the. kettledrum. ‘Why is he not keeping this one?” “Well, sir,” said Jetty, beginning his answer in his favourite mode, and dropping his voice to a low key, though they were quite alone on the common, “I believe Mr. Charles can’t show his face at Oxford until he is better up in funds ; so he is omitting this term.” “Debts—eh?” cried the Tiger, but without any appearance of surprise. “And the Major has not the funds to spare?” “Well, sir, that is to be inferred.” “Meanwhile the lad fills up his days and hours at home with dancing, and smoking, and kettledrums, and other good-for-nothing amusements. TZhat’s a nice way to spend one’s life!” “Young men will be young men, sir—though they are but lads,” spoke Jetty, deprecatingly. “Yes; young men will be young men: some of them at any rate,” came the half-mocking retort. ‘ But in all my days, I never saw a young man who appeared more likely to go straight down to ruin than _ Charles Raynor.” (To be continued.) comicbooks.com EE