The North-Carolinian., 1852-05-22
ORIGIN OF CANT PHRASES.
" Good as TtHeuf."

In the State Of tennessee, there is a
certain village, boasting of its tavern, three
stores. and four groceries, where, from
morning till night. and from night till
dawn, person entering the town NAV
lind. IN the tavern, stores, or groceries
aforesaid. one or more groups of persons
playing cards. Gambling there is reduced
to science. the history Of four Kings is
thoroughly studied, and from the school
hoy to the greyheaded veteran, from the
miss in her teens to the mother Of large
family. they are initiated into the myste-
ries Of high. low, jack, game; right and
-One of the best players in the village
was Majer Smith, tavern keeper. or, as lie
expressed it. the proprietor Of the hotel;
a widower, who, like
''Jephtha. Judge in Israel
Had a daughter passing fair"
Fanny. the daughter, was one of the
prettiest girls in Tennessee, and therefore
one Of the prettiest in the world, for we
here digress in order to lay down as our
iPse dixit, that Tennessee women. in point
OF beauty. are natchless. The sweetheart
OF Miss Fanny was young farmer, resid.
ing in the neishborhood. 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, seat.
ed between the Major and his charming
daughter. After a desultory conversation
between the two gentlemen, on the state
of the weather. the prospects Of the an.
preaching harvest, and such important sta
pies of conversation. the Major asked Rob.
ert how his wheat crop promised to yield.
In reply. he was told that the Young far
mo v TOR tn oak q los Luo
bushels. The Major appeared to study
FOR moment. then abruptly proposed =
game of old sledge "r seven up,' the stakes
to be his daughter Fanny against the crop
of wheat. 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 wife by gambling for
her. and. perhaps. because he knew the
old .nan was ''hard to beat" and that there
was strong probability Of his losing both
wheat and wife.
1t was not until the Major, with his u.s.
ual obstinacy had sworn. that unless he
won her, he should never have her, that
the young man was forced reluctantly to
consent TIA 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 progress of the game. The
cards were regularly shuified and cut. and
it fell to the Majors lot tn deal. The first
hand was played and Robert made gift, to
his opponent high. low, game. Robert
then dealt. the Major begged, it was given
! and the Maj or again made three to his op-
ponent's one.
six to two said Miss Fanny. with
sigh. The Major. as he again dealt the
cards. wioked knowingly and said. Il am
good for that wheat, Master Bob The
old man turned up atrump. it was a spade.
Fanny glanced at her fathers hand-her
heart sank; he held the three and eight
spots and the king She then looked at
Roberts hand. and 10 he held the ace.
queen. deuce. and jack or knave. She
whispered Robert to beg. he did SO. Take
it, said the Major. Three to six said
Miss Fanny. aloud. Robert led his duce.
which the Msjnr took with his three spot.
and followed by playing the king. Robert
put his queen on it. The Major supPos'
ing it was the young mans last trump.
leant over the table. and tapping the last
trick with his finger. said. 'Ihafs good as
wheat is it ? asked Robert. as he dis
played to the eyes of the astonished Major,
the ace and jack yet in his hand. 'Hi sh..
low. lack. gift. and the game shouted
Robeet. Out sententiousIy calculated
Miss Fanny. Good as wheat added
Robert, - he flung his arms around her
neck and kissed her.
| In due time they wsre married. and ev.
er after that. when anything occurred Of a
pleasant nature to the happy couple. thew
would express their emphatic APPRECIATION
| hv he nh All