Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

148 ' THE ARGOSY. “Qh, I’m glad to know I can interest such a blasé person as yourself, Johnes,”’ said Jack, rather nettled at Dolph’s patronizing tone. | “ Y-e-s,” continued Dolph, whose perception of the sarcasm was not as slow as his words, “I may say I like you—er—against my will.” ‘ Fortunately,” said Jack slowly, “ it - requires very little exertion on your part to like me,” which was a palpable hit at Dolph’s proverbial weakness of character. “ That’s all right, Burke,” interposed Bert soothingly. ‘ Dolph’s will may be weak, but his wits are all right.” “Well,” and Jack bent over to lace his shoe, “ I have heard of people living by their wits, so I suppose Johnes has a future before him.” “Come, Burke! that’s a little too strong,” expostulated Bert Sharpe. “Well, perhaps it is,” admitted Jack, with a smile. “I beg your, par- don, Johnes. I’m afraid I’ve got a little bit of Kilkenny in my blood.” “Oh, don’t mention it,” drawled Dolph. “I would have survived.” “You won’t come down to the track, then? ” queried Bert Sharpe. “No, I think not. I don’t see where the interest comes in.” “’m afraid you’ve got no sporting blood in you,” said Bert lightly. “T’m not sure I know what you mean by that,” remarked Jack. “Well, for instance,” spoke up Dolph superciliously, “I suppose you never made a bet in your life.” “That’s what you call sport,” ex- claimed Jack. “ What I would call sport 1s—well, for instance, to run you just for the fun of the thing from here to Harmon town and back, give you half a mile start, beat you, and do it in fifteen minutes. That is ” “Hold on there!” interrupted Dolph. “We can stand a little bragging, Burke; but fifteen minutes is just a trifle too steep.” “You think I can’t do it,”’ exclaimed Jack. “Oh, perhaps you can,” replied Dolph. “ Still I’d like to bet you ten or fifteen dollars that you can’t.” ‘Thanks! I can’t bet with you.” “ Broke?” inquired Dolph with a slight sneer. “No, I haven't had occasion to pawn my overcoat lately,” which Dolph was known to have done last April. “ And indeed,” continued Jack, “I may say that, thanks to my not betting and ‘sporting ’ generally, 1 manage to live within my allowance and keep a little extra cash on hand besides.” “Qh, this isn’t Sunday, Burke,” said Dolph, “so a sermon is a little out of order.” “ Come on; we'd better make a start for the track, Dolph,” and Bert Sharpe made a move. “ But it breaks my heart not to be able to take the gentleman up on his statement,” lamented Dolph. “See here!’ exclaimed Jack. “ I'll do this with you, as you’re so certain; I’ll make the run for a penalty, and I'll engage to do it in fourteen minutes, too —the penalty of my failure being that I’ll tote you around the college grounds in a wheelbarrow five times; while if I win, you'll tote me around, say three times, as you’re not very strong.” ‘Oh, don’t be childish, Burke,” cried Dolph. “Tl bet you any amount; bu 93 “ Hold on!” cried Bert Sharpe, sud- denly. “I say, Burke, will you give us two minutes to consider that proposi- tion—in private? ” “Yes, but not more, as I’ve wasted too much time already.” While Bert led his friend aside, Jack leaned against the gatepost and smiled to himself. | ‘Dolph, you take that offer!’ Bert was excitedly whispering. ‘Get out, Bert! I have no desire to go into such tomfoolery as _ being wheeled in a barrow.” “ You won't; you'll lose and have to do the wheeling yourself.” “Well, so much the——” cCommilcooolKs eo