Shadow of Calamity.

Bob was unable, through illness, to go to work on pay-day, so asked his work-mate, Mick, to get his wages and bring them along to his house. Late that night Mick arrived at Bob's house, looking rather serious.

“I've lost yer wages, Bob!” he said.

“Lost my wages?” began Bob.

But Mick interrupted him.

“Aye,” he blurted, “and I believe if I had gone on playing I should have lost my own.”

* * *