University of Virginia Library

AN ATTORNEY `DONE' BY A GAMBLER.

A turfite and gambler, represented under the letters of Mr H — e, having lost all his money at Doncaster and the following York Meeting, devised a plan, with his coadjutor, to obtain the means for their departure from York, which, no doubt, will be considered exceedingly ingenious.

He had heard of an attorney in the town who was very fond of Backgammon; and on this simple piece of information an elaborate plan was concocted. Mr H — e feigned illness, went to bed, and sent for a large quantity of tartar emetic, which he took. After he had suffered the operation of the first dose he sent for a doctor, who pronounced him, of course, very languid and ill; and not knowing the cause, ordered him more medicine, which the patient took good care not to allow to stay on his stomach.

On the second day he asked the doctor, with great gravity, if he considered him in danger, adding, `because he had never made a will to bequeath

his property.' The doctor replied, `No, not in absolute danger, but there was no harm in making a will.'

The attorney, accordingly, was sent for — of course the very man wished for — the lover of Backgammon before mentioned. The good man came; he took the `instructions,' and drew up the last will and testament of the ruined turfite, who left (in the will) about £50,000, which no man ever heard of, living or dead.

The business being done, the patient said that if he had a moment's relaxation he thought he should rally and overcome the malady. The poor lawyer said if he could in any way contribute to his comfort he should be happy. The offer was embraced by observing that if he could sit up in bed — but he was afraid he was not able — a hit at Backgammon would be a great source of amusement.

The lawyer, like all adepts in such matters, was only too willing to catch at the idea; the board was brought.

Of course the man who had £50,000 to leave behind could not be expected to play `for love;' and so when Mr H — e proposed `a pound a hit or treble a gammon,' the lawyer not only thought it

reasonable, but, conscious of his power in the game, eagerly accepted the terms of playing. They played; but the lawyer was gammoned almost incessantly, till he lost £50. Then H — e proposed `double or quits to £1000,' — thereupon the poor lawyer, believing that fortune could not always forsake him, said he had but £2000 in the world, but that he would set the £1000. He lost; and be-came almost frantic. In the midst of his excessive grief, H — e said, `You have a horse, what is it worth?' £50 was the answer. `Well, well, you may win all back now, and I'll set £50 on your horse.'

They began again. Lost! `You have a cow in your paddock, haven't you? What's that worth?' asked Mr H — e. The attorney said £12. `Well, I'll set that sum by way of giving you a chance.' The game proceeded, and the poor lawyer, equally unfortunate, raved and swore he had lost his last shilling. `No, no!' said H — e,' you have not: I saw a hay-rick in your ground. It is of no use now that the horse and cow are gone — what is that worth?' £15, replied the at-torney, with a sigh. `I set £15 then,' said H — e.

This seemed to be `rather too much' for the lawyer. The loss of the hay-rick — like the last

straw laid on the overladen camel's back — staggered him. Besides, he thought he saw — as doubtless he did see — H — e twisting his fingers round one of the dice. Up he started at once, and declared that he was cheated!

Thereupon the sick man forgot his sickness, jumped out of bed, and gave the lawyer a regular drubbing, got the cheque for the £2000, — but the horse, cow, and hay he said he would leave `until further orders.'