Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-09-21
TAKING IN A KNOWING oNE-TKE H.
TER BIT.

| I6h 6l1.
NJ. Travers Denhsm, a resident Of Calcutta,
was civilian Of dsshing exterior and plsusi-
BILE ways, though in fact sToue--an sdyentuer
-one who sought 10 bet and to play at every
opportunity, and who oliDdys won, and won in
such manner as to raise strange suspicious,
and something worse than suspicious, in the
brea asst Of certain Major Byme, whose regi-
ment was then stationed in the above city.
It 50 happened that the latter one day enter
ed the house Of an official personage-one who
in manner, figured high in the society Of
Cslcutta-whose hospitality was equal to his
wealth, and whose nrbanity and fine nature
were on a par with both. On being shown
into splendid drawing-roonn, where some fur
niiure Just received from Europe lay unpack-
ed, he found NJ. Travers Denham, arrived
there before him, in conversation with the
host, who was warmly pressing him to dine
with him next day. CarelesSly salulins Den
ham, Byrne advanced to the chimney -pece,at
the side of which small conca,e mirror, Of
ar elegant but still old-fashioned shape, was
fixed among group Of small paintings.
When Denham was gone, Major Byrne
turned 10 his host, and said, "If Mr.. Denbsm
offers 10 make bet with you about that ia
ble," pointing 10 new one "take him at his
word"
"a bet T! the table my dear fellow" begun
the other.
whist, and listen 10 me-" said the major
and he communicated 10 his friend what, BY
the ex.ravagant fit of laughter it produced,
must have been highly amusing.
To morrow came. The guests assembe led,
and with them were Major Byrne and Mr..
Denham. Among the articles OF furniture re-
marked, was the new dining-tabe, and, as
Byrne had expected, Denham was on the gus
pirs. ...
"The table would certainly be Q splendid
one, were il not little too high" observed
the latter, with knowing glance at its pro-
portions.
"Too high Nonsense" returned its owner
laughing. "lrs only the usual height-Say
30 inches"
"My eye IS rare y deceived" sad Denham,
confidently; "and am certain that it is moro
than that--nay, that IL is one and thirty inches
high" J..... =
"Well, think this time your eve does de-
ceive you," retorted their host; "and---"
"And am so confident of the contrary"
continued Denham, "thnt should not mind
making a wager it is full the Eeasurment |
stale"
Their host looked OF Byrne, who winked
drolly in return, unobserved by the clever
gsmeser, and then he quietly replied
"a wager My dear fellow, you would be
sure 10 lose, take my word Tor it,"
"Lose, eh !" and Denham smiled. "Well
il you like, Pll bet you cool thousand--aye,
two-that it is YOU who are in the wrong
1.-TWO thousand p and their host shook his
head, and Looked very gravsly at Denham,
and again at the table.
eyes, two thousand !" said Denham, get
ting warm with eagerness, and taking out his
pocketbook, from which he counted out notes
10 that amount. He had feeced several youae
fellows aely--been "luckey," he called it,
without Ie,norse--and was tolera5ly flush of
money"
"Wby," hesitattd the challenged, "I
think it would be foolish wager, but by gad |!
| don't like to be put at defence, and so I'll
bet" and at the same instant he also drew
forth the like sum, which, with hDenham's two
thousand, was deposited with gentleman
present.
"You are sure TO lose" cried Denham tri-
umphantly, and scarcely able to conceal his
delight
"Pm certain to win," the host said, very
gravely, ss with expectation on tptoe, prl-
Vale IN the engineers, VINO was 81 nanC ana
called 10, proceeded to measure the height Of
+ the table.
"Thity inches p' pro o,uunced the latter,
after pause.
"What 7" cried Denham, with start of rage
flushing and then turning pale. at must be
, a mistake
NO." several of the guests said; "Thrty
|, inches is the height. Come and judge for
{ YOURSELF" And unmistakably the height so
, turned out
"The deviiw exclaimed Denham, carried
away by his rnnous failure. "Pr certain
| that yesterday measured it 10 be thirty-one
nches.',
"Yes, faith" said BWne, stepping forward
, "and it's meself that saw ye, me boy, mark
ing the same on your hip as ye stood beside
: it, and thinking what ye were up to, be dad |!
we had the legs sasoed of an inch, and now, |
think for once,the tables are turned upon yep
/ and, amid roar af laughter, as the money
I was handed to the winner, the dlscomftted
gambler rushed from the robin, and was soor
r sIter proftably missei from his haunts and
circle.