avy heart he again lined up behind the stand.
In turn he was given his gold piece in exchange for his ticket, but the
$400 was gone, to return no more forever.

Under any sudden and crucial misfortune the subsequent action of the
average man is largely a matter of temperament. Numbers, no doubt, in
Checkers' position would have felt themselves justified in drowning
their sorrows in the flowing bowl. Others, with the obstinacy of
despair, might 'ave sought, perforce, the smiles of frowning fortune,
throwing discretion to the winds, and risking their all at any
desperate game chance threw in their way until satiated. A few might
have taken their hard luck resignedly, only thankful that it was no
worse, and hoping for better luck next time--such are they who, in the
end, succeed.

These alternatives occurred to Checkers in turn, and he effected a sort
of compromise. He needed a temporary excitement of some sort as a
counter-irritant to his nerves. He was tired and hungry, and he
decided that his first move would be to get a good supper. He did n't
care how good or what it cost--he was tired of practicing economy. But
he must have some money; it would hardly do to "spring" the fifty in a
restaurant. Ah! Uncle Isaac! Yes, he believed he could pawn the gold
piece as he would a watch, and then if luck ever came his way, he would
have a chance of redeeming it.

The staid old waiters in a fashionable cafL smiled that evening as a
youthful figure entered with an unaccustomed air, and, seating himself
at one of the tables, studied the menu earnestly. A few deft
suggestions from one of them, however, put him in the way of a very
good supper; and with a pint of Mumm's to wash it down, and a cigarette
to top off with, Checkers, for it was he, began to feel that things
might have been a bit worse after all. As he stepped into the street,
the glaring and impossible posters of a spectacular show at a
neighboring theater caught his eye and decided him. Five minutes later
he was comfortably seated in the front row of the orchestra chairs,
enjoying himself in present forgetfulness of troubles past or troubles
to come.

Now, I fear, that to properly do my part, I should here create a dream
for Checkers to have had that night, in which Pert, Remorse, a waiter,
and a comedian should all take more or less senseless parts. But being
somewhat skeptical myself, I was careful to question Checkers on this
point, especially when I