ion 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 L50,000, 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 L50,000 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 L50. Then H--e proposed 'double or quits to
L1000,'--thereupon the poor lawyer, believing that fortune could not
always forsake him, said he had but L2000 in the world, but that he
would set the L1000. He lost; and became almost frantic. In the midst
of his excessive grief, H--e said, 'You have a HORSE, what is it worth?'
L50 was the answer. 'Well, well, you may win all back now, and I'll set
L50 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 L12. 'Well, I'll
set that sum by way of giving you a chance.' The game proceeded, and the
poor lawyer, equally un