A Mild Flutter on the Yorkshire Coast

He keeps a stall-on the front, one of those general ‘stores of the beach where you can buy spades and pails for the children; balls and bats for beach cricket; chocolate, bananas and ginger pop for elevenses”; postcards to send to -Aunt Mary; pencils to write them and rarest of all stamps to stick on.

I proffered him a shilling in payment of a penny card, and he said, in worried tones“ Ah must give you all coppers.”

“ That's all right,” I answered brightly, ‘but, turning away, paused and wondered if there was not in his mild eye, an unsuspected subtlety. To his stall is flanked with miniature Monte Carlo’s those alluring machines which offer you your penny back and a Sporting’ chance of making more.

I paused and was lost. In went, a penny, the ball flew round and dropped in reserve. Another ‘followed—a win! Turn the handle, and out’ drops. oh, greater subtlety still! A’ vouchér for a penny, redeemable at the stall!!

My pennies exhausted, I was turning away when the old man appeared at my side. -

“Have you won owt?” he inquired.

I opened my hand and revealed two vouchers.. 

“Only those, and wasted sevenpence!”

“Well, there,”’ he said sympathetically, ‘and there was a young man here yester- |

day as made 7d. or a half-penny at machine on t’ other side.”

“Oh, is there: a- half-penny one?” (Caught again!) -

He led'‘me round. It is like the penny one, but many years older. Time and the weather have stiffened it up, and it responds only to fierce pulls at the lever. The first halfpenny stuck.

 “ Gi’e ’era joggle,” says the old man. We joggle her, ‘the coin drops and the ball comes into play. This time the handle sticks. By now we are definitely in partnership, and the owner takes a turn at the lever and drops the ball in reserve.

Nothing daunted, he contributes a half penny of his own, and we go joyfully on, shaking and banging the machine in turns. It is clear they are ‘old enemies, for at times, the old man grits his teeth, and says: “ Ah’ll mak’ her go.” And go she does, groaning and protesting to the end. At. last our halfpennies are all gone and I retire, richer by a fourpenny ball, poorer by - I wonder how much?