The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-09-20
Taking in a Knowing One.
THE BITTER BIT.

Mr.. Travers Denham, resident OF CAL
cu,ta, was civilian of dashing exterior
and plausible ways, though in lac. rogue
and to play a, every opportunity, and who
always won, and won in such q manner
as to raise strange suspicious, and some
thing worse than suspicious, in the breast
of Msior Byrne. whose regiment was
stationed in the above city.
1t SO happened that the latter one day
Ientered the house Of an official parsonage
lone who, in manner. figured high in
the soclety Of Calcutta-whose hospitality
was equal to his wealth, and whose urban
ilty and fine n ature were on par with both.
On being shown into a splendid drawing
room, where some furniture just received
from Europe lay unpacked, he found MIR.
Travers Dsnham arrived there before him,
lin conversation with the host, who was
warmly pressing him to dine with him
the mex. day. Carelessly salu,ing Dem
ham. Byrne advanced to the chimney
piece, at the side of which concave mir
ror, of an elegant but still old fashioned
shape, was fixed among a group of small
paintings
| When Denhsm was gone. Major Byrne
turned to his host and said, "If Mr.. Den
ham offers to betwith you about that table, :"
pointing to new one, take him at his
word"
"a bet! the table! my dear fellow" be-
gan the other.
"Whist, listen to me,p said the major;
and he communicated to his friend what,
by the extravagant fit of laughter it pro.
duced, must have been very amusing.
| Tomorrow came. The guests assem-
hled, and with them were Major Byrne and
Mr.. Denham. Among the articles Of furn.
iture remarked. was the dining table. and
as Byrne had expected, Denham was on
the qui uive.
| 1.-The table would most certainly be 3
/ splendid specimen, were i, not little too
high, observed the latter, with very
knowing glance at its proportions.
TOO high! Nonsense" returned its
owner, laughing. .'l.'s only the usual
height-ssy thirty inches.'
"My eye lsrarely deceived" said Den.
ham, very confidently; sand | am quite
certain that it is more than that; say that i.
is one and thirty inches in height.
| "Well, think this time your eye does
deceivs you, and
| ..And am so confident of the contrary" !"
continued Denham, ..lha. should no,
mind making wager that il is full the
measure state
Their host looked al Byrne, who walked
drolly unobserved by the clever gamester,
and then quietly replied: 's# 2
"A wager! My dear fellow, you'd be
sure to lose, take my word for it. ~
| lose, eh!" and Denham smiled
Jewell, if you like. I'll bet you cool
thousand-aye, two-thatitis 10 you who are
in the wrong"
1.-TWO thousandp' and their host shook
his head, and looked very gravely at Dem
ham, and again at the table.
"Yes, two thousandi" said DenhanI, get
|ting warm with eagerness. and taking ou,
his pocket-book, from which he counted
out notes to that amount. He had fieeced
several young fellows lately been lucky,
as he called it, without remorse-and was
tolerable flush OF money.
"Why," hesitated the challenged, 81
think it would be foolish wager, but by
gadl don't like to be put at defiance. and
so f'll be,;" and a! the instant he also drew
forth the like sum, which, was deposited
with gentlemen present.
"Yes are certain to lose,' cried Den.
ham trumphantly, and scarcely able &c
conceal his delight.
"l'm certain to win," the hos, said, very
gravely, and with expectation on tip.oe, 9
private in the engineers. was at hsnd anc
, called in, and proceeded to measure the
heipht of the tabie. 5sssat 81
"1airfy inches! pronounced the latter
after pause. $50
"What cried Denham. with start o
!, rage. flushing and turning pale. 1t mas
be mistake" S1S e
"No," several the guests said. "Thlr
ty inches is the height. Come and Judge
!. for YOURSELF" And unmistakably the heigh
, so turned out. @
: s.The DEVIL" exclaimed Denham, car
fried away by his ruinous failure. ..I'n
|, certain that yesterday measured il so a
!, to be thirty. inches"
Yes, faith" said Byrne, stepping for
ward, and it's meseli that saw ye, me boy
maxim the same on your hips as ye stoot
beside it, ar thinking what ye were up to
: bedad! we had the legs sa,on off an inch
Q and now, think, for once, the tables ar.
turned upon vel" and, amid roar o
laughter, as the money was handed TO tn,
winner, the discomftted gambler rushed
from the room. and was soon after profit
ably missed from his haunts. ~
CO. Halo boy. whose house is that OF
y the top of the hill?'
My fathers
e Ii isn't every one that knows his owl
p father-who is yours?'
Y Mothers husband III ,a 81