near the dividing-line between sense
and nonsense. But what, O Employer of Labor, determined the trend of
his dreams? If he had been able to take an occasional trip up to
Hometon, only three hours' journey, would he have lain awake nights
devising means of filling up the dreary evenings? If he had even been
able to take a friend out to the theatre occasionally, those cool
spring nights, without borrowing the money, would penny poker have so
interested him? But you will not listen, Mr. Employer. You say: "If
we raise him $200 instead of $100, _he will only spend it anyway_!" If
your Maker had given you one hand instead of two, because of the
possibility of your doing more harm with two than one, would you not
doubt His wisdom, to say nothing of justice or mercy? What if the
bankclerk does spend all he makes--who made _you_ his guardian? You
are his employer, not his father or mother. If he can earn $1,000 a
year after three years' service (and in the _Star Weekly_, Toronto,
summer of 1912, a Canadian Bank official declared that a bankclerk was
no good unless he could) what right have you to give him only $500 or
$600?

Evan dreamed of amusing himself, until sleep came; sleep, almost the
only inexpensive and valuable amusement some people get. Next morning
he awakened in a sporting frame of mind, and went to work somewhat
buoyant for having strangled an awkward scruple.

"Are you going to play again to-night?" he asked the paying-teller.

"Sure," said Levison, "but we've got five already. Bill Watson is
coming. I don't think the fellows care for a six-handed game."

Evan did not notice the smile on Sid's face. He went back to his
cash-book with the intention of coaxing his way into the evening's
game. By and by Brower came along from the accountant's desk.

"Say, Nelsy," he whispered over the cash-book, "Marks got a sure tip
from the races through his uncle to-day, and we're all going in on it.
It's all right, believe me. He gave us one at the last races and we
all made a five to one clean-up. This is a ten to one, sure. If
you've got a dollar to throw away give it to Marks."

"I haven't got any to throw away," replied Nelson, annoyed that on top
of his recent surrender to poker someone should try to coax him into
playing the races.

"Oh, very well," laughed the ledgerman, "no harm done."

Evan made a sudden resolution that he not only would not bet with them
that day but that he would pass up th