Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-02
A CLEARFIELpER "soLp.n

The Harrisburg Patriot & Union Of the Goth
January contains the following
FLEEcIsG CouNrRYMAN.-The register OF
one OF our hotels, on Saturday, chronicled the
arrival of gentleman named Maxwell, hail
ing from the well-tim bcred region of Clear
field. He came to town unheralded, and was
not honored by any public reception. Though
Mr.. NJ. boasts no collegiate education, he
claims, or has claimed, some knowledge Of
the history of the four kings-diamonds
hearts, spades and clubs. In his youth, he
declares, he devoted much careful study to
the subject of the five points-not of New
I fork, but OF cuchre; though the flyorite a
musement was the research into the mysteries
of high, low, jack and the game, as developed
in the ancient and fascinating pastime of sew
en-up, or as it is more clasically termed, sold
sledge." On Tuesday evening, Mr.. Maxwell
strollcd along the several streets of our Capt.
tai borough, albeit the cold was such as 10 adj
mon!sh any one to keep within doors, ard in
his meanderings dropped iuto certain coy
corner to see the sselephant,'' having already
made the acquaintance of the "tiger'' in a
mother locality. At the table over which these
delightfully."- fascinating 'shanmals,'' preside,
he met an extremely sociabIc gentleman, who
stuck to him like a brother, and kindly volun-
teered to be his chaperon through the town
and its attractions, for which, matter
of course, Mr.. Maxwell was duly grateful
The sociabie gentleman, for the purpose
of affording the country friend all the a
musement in his power, proposed little
game of cards to pass away the time and
accordingly the two sat down to the table.
Before beginning, however, the sociabie gen.
tleman carelessly dealt the cards, giving him
self the ace, king. queen, jack and deuce of
clubs, trey and four of hearts, and seven,
eight and nine of spades. SNOW says the
sociabe gentleman, ''supposing hearts were
trump, would be bound to make high, low,
jack and the game-four times" The Clear
field county gentleman looked at all the cards
and studied. He noticed that his jack of
clubs would take the kind friends ten, and
count eleven for game, whereas his opponent,
with his successful trump card, could count
but ten. Making this sharp discovery, he
contr addicted his friends assertion, and pro-
posed to bet him fifty dollars that he could not
make ssfour times" The latter appeared
greatly excited, and offered to increase tho
wager to one hundred, which was accepted,
The gentleman commenced by leading his ace,
and Maxwell followed suit BY playing his four.
He then played his duce, which was taken by
| Maxwell's tray. Clearfed county next led
one of his spades, whereupon his Harrisburg
friend quietly threw away his ten. when the
gentleman from the country saw that lie was
| ssgone up" and surrended the "spohdulix. %
This trick, which cannot DO explained with
out the use of s'techncal tcrms," is, we learn,
frequently played off upon greenies by profess
sional black-legs. It's publication here may
serve to make others beware how they fall in
to the clutches of sharpers. Cards dam
gerous contriyances, and it cannot be doubted
that many bad tendencies are attributable to
them, which cannot DO outweighed by the con-
sderation that they may be, and often are used
as a means of innocent pastime.