The Argosy — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

Lady Valeria. 181 refused another cup of tea with a look that took away Elsie’s last pretence of appetite. ‘“‘ Father,” she said, driven in desperation to break the thunder- charged silence. ‘‘ Have you heard? Mrs. Damien asked Sampson last night to play his clarinet at her party next Monday. She says she can find no one else to do it so well, and I’m to go and hear him! ” ‘“* Delighted, I’m sure,” in a sour little tone. ‘It’s great news for me to hear that there’s an opening for Sampson anywhere.” “Now, father!” pleaded Elsie. “I’m going to try Vaux and Vidler’s again,” humbly suggested the prodigal. ‘‘ Young Mr. Vidler said he’d see what he could do.” “It’s your last chance, I warn you. I have stretched my influence to the utmost limits ; you must go your own way if this fails,” spoke his father, sternly. “Tf I only might!” broke out Sammy, with a hopeful look. ‘‘ See here father, I know it’s partly my own fault ——” ‘Partly !” with a venomous sneer. “Well, altogether then; but a man isn’t born a clerk—even a bad one; and I’ve no hope of ever making a good one; and I hate— oh, how I ave the city! More than I can tell. I want fresh air. I want room to use my arms and legs. I only feel a man when I’m out with my company.” ‘“‘ Playing at soldiers,” was the acrid comment. “Let me make it earnest then!” pleaded the boy. ‘“‘There’s fighting coming, everyone says so, in Egypt, if not with France, and I should be worth something then. I know my drill. I shouldn’t be a raw recruit —-——” Sam stopped, for his father had sunk back in his chair, his little grey eyes expanded in horror, and his whole face convulsed with the effort to gasp out indignation too mighty for speech. ‘You mean enlist!” he at last exploded. ‘A son of mine— enlist !” “Why not?” said Sammy, hurrying up his arguments. “I should at least earn food and clothing, which I can’t do now; and besides—” out of Sam’s pocket came a well-thumbed pamphlet with ‘‘ REcRuIT- ING,” *‘ By AUTHORITY,” conspicuous on its first page—‘‘I could get. four shillings a day as a regimental clerk.” ‘Be quiet, sir! Be guzet, I say!” shouted Mr, Paramount. “ Fifteen shillings eventually as a Quartermaster!” shouted Sammy, louder. “ Will you be silent!” choking with wrath. “ Fifty pounds a month as a deputy commissary in India and the- rank of captain—or if I dzdn’t go to India and can pass the exam. and get recommended by my commanding officer—and see if I don’t do one and the other—I may get a commission just the same. Here itis in print. See it for yourself. Captain! Major! Colonel! General! Why not I as well as another?” And Sammy breathless, and at the VOL, XLI. N COMICcaooks (CO)