The Argosy — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

235 CAMPING OUT. “ [? was really very jolly of Uncle Christopher to send that tip,” gratefully remarked Tom Candlish, as he looked admiringly round his small room at Oxford. A sympathising but somewhat envious friend sat on a tin box and surveyed all the new acquisitions with a sigh—for alas ! Ae had no Uncle Christopher. “Yes, yes, you are a lucky dog!” “Why, you see,” said Tom confidingly, “it: happened just at -the nght time. I owed a little, and that’s paid.” “ Horribly lucky !” groaned the friend. “And then I wanted to enjoy a good river trip, and hadn’t any tin until this came. Now all these things and anew boat make every- thing jolly.” “ Horribly jolly !” said the friend, pulling his hat over his eyes. “IT say, old chap,” observed Tom, genially, as he laid down a portable bath in its neat-fitting case, “‘ you’re a cup too low! Have some champagne ? ” “Why, Tom,” said the other, raising his hat from his eyes, with a look of responsive. geniality, ‘“ you don’t mean to say your admirable relative sent you a tip and didn’t saddle you with a blue ribbon ? ” For answer Tom Candlish. pulled forth a champagne bottle, sent the cork off in a most boisterous manner, and filled a bumper for Mr. Alfred Webbs. That young man did not make any remark before drinking, lest the fizz should subside, but when he set down his tumbler with a thankful sigh, he said : “ But, come now, Tom, what is the saddle? ‘There must be one, or your uncle 1s unique.” “Well,” said Tom, laughing and blushing too, “ there is and there isn’t, That is to say, it ought to be looked on as a greater blessing than the tip.” “What,” cried Mr. Webbs eagerly, ‘ expectations? Convertible expectations ?” “Great expectations, but not convertible,” announced ‘Tom, buckling a portmanteau with extra vigour. “ The fact is I’m going to be married.” “Q-o-oh 1!” groaned Mr. Webbs. “Have some more champagne, Webbs. You're decidedly a cup too low.” And Webbs took it, drinking silently. “ You see, Webbs, I’ve always been expected to marry my uncle’s ward.” “And you'll do it,” said Webbs, with solemnity. | “Qf course,” replied Tom. “But first I’m going to have my camping out—and a lovely summer it is for it!” GOGO S (SO)