The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-10
"GOod as Wheat,'' OR SEVENTH for a
Wife.

In the State of Tennes see, there is a certain
village Boosting of tavern, three stores, and
four groceries, where from morning till night,
and from night till dawn, a person entering
the town may find, in the tavern, stores OF gro-
ceres aforesaid, one or more groups of per-
sons playing cards. Gambling there is re-
duced TO a science; the history of four kings
is thoroughly studied, and from the school 5oy
10 the grey headed veteran, from the miss in
her teens, to the mother of large fumily, they
are Initiated into the mysteries of high low,
jack, game; right and left bowers; the honors
and the odd trick. One of the best players in
the village was Major Smith, the tavern keep
er; or, as he expressed IL, the proprietor of the
hotel, u widower, who like,
'Jeptha, Judge in Israel,
Had daughter passing fair
Fanny, the daughter, was one of the pref
test girls in Tennessee, and therefore one of
the prettiest in the world for we here dgress
in order to lay down US tpse dirat, that Ten
nessee women in point OF beauty are match.
less. The sweetheart of Miss Fanny was
young farmer, residing in the neighborhood.
whom we shall designate by the name Of
Bob.
1t happened that one day before harvest the
young man was detained IN the village, and
found him as usual, at the hotel, seated be-
q
desultory conversation between the two gen.
lemen. on The state of the weather, the pros
poets of the approaching harvest, and such
| important staples of conversation, the Major
asked Robert how his wheat crop promised to
yield. In reply, he was told that the young
farmer expected TO make at least one hundred
bushels. The Major appeared to study for
moment, then abruptly proposed game of
old siedge, or seven up the stakes to be his
dam hf0r OE.x
This. OF course, the young man Indignantly
refused, because he could not bear the idea
that the hand of her he loved should be made
the subject of bet, or that he should win a
wife by gambling for her, and, perhaps, be-
cause he knew the old man was hard TO beat,
and there was strong probability of his los
ing both wheat and wife.
1t was not until the major, with h s usual
obstlnacy, had sworn that unless he won her
he should never have her, that the young
man was forced reluctantly to consent TO
play.
The table was placed, the candles lit, the
| cards produced, and the players took their
seats, with Miss Fanny between. them TO
watch the game. The cards were regularly
shutied and cut, and it fell TO the Majors lot
10 deal. The first hand was played and Ro-
| bert made gift TO bis opponents high, low,
game. Robert then dealt, The Major begged;
| 10 his opponents one.
''Six to two," said Miss Fanny with sigh.
| The Major, as he dealt the cards, winked
| knowingly and said
II am good for the wheat, master Bob"
The old man turned up rump-it ives d
spade. Fanny glanced at her fathers hand
her heart sank; he held the three eight spots
and the king She then looked at Roberts
hand, and lo he held the ace, queen. deuce,
and jack or knaye. She whispered Robert to
beg-he did so.
"Take IT," said the Major
Robert led his deuce, which the Major took
with his three spot, and followed by playing
the king. Robert put his queen upon it,
The Major supposing it was the young man 8
last trump, leaned over the table, and tapping
the last trick with his finger said
THAT'S good as wheat"
| "ls it," asked Robert as he displayed TO
the eyes of the aslonished Major the ace and
jack yet in his hands.
High, low, jack, gift, and the game," shout
| ed Robert.
"iou!" sen,entiously CALCULATED Miss Fan
ny.
"Good as wheat" added Robert, as he
| flung his arms around her kneck and kissed
| her.
ip due time they were married, and ever af
| ter thai, when anything occurred of pleas
| ing nature 10 the happy couple, they would
express their emphatic appreciation of il, by
] the phrase. GOOD as wheut.n
The county court of Loudoun county. Va,
has ordered the sheriff 10 offer for public hire,