East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-04-12
EAST SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, APRIL 70, 1860

eyes good to have seen Mr.. Oldwink, a
he sat on my left hand, looking SO beam
ing and affable as he uttered grace fo
the seasonable bounties of roast goos
and onion sauce.
AS soon as the cloth was removed,
could see that Scratcher was fdgctins
for the cards to be brought out; so
made bold to ask Mr.. Oldwink whethe
he would make one at quiet rubber.
"Why, really, my friends" he re
marked, ''it is very seldom that | touch
card i'll fact, / am novice at all game
Of chance or skill; but, on an occasion o
this sort, should be very sorry to ma
the festivity. Do not, however, expec
much from me. Let the stakes be low
if you please; inst sufficient to give al
interest to the game. Say half fcrowr
points, could not conscientiously play
for more; with, if you like, an extra shil
ling on the odd trick"
Scratcher and i opened our eyes; W.
had never played for more than shilling
a corner but, of course, we did not say
so; so it was settled at half-a crown. A!
for Mr. Purkiss, when l asked him, he
said in his quiet way that he should bc
happy to do as the rest of the company
did. So we cut for partners; and, as i
fell out, it was Scratcher and Mr.. Old
wink against Mr.. Purkiss and myself.
Mr.. Oldwink passed me his snuli-boS
while Scratcher was dealing.
"a remarkable box, that, Jobson," hC
observed, seeing that | was admiring it
at was presented to me by the Emperor
of Russia, in return for secret service
which rem lered his majesty during the
time was travelling through his domains
He sent me this snuff box, and an auto
graph letter of thanks. Diamonds rrumps
Knave turned up"
Mr.. Purkiss held out his hand for the
box, Int Mr.. Oldwink took it up, aud put
it in his pocket; perhaps he did not like
to have it fingered by strangers.
The luck of Scatcher and his partner
was something astonishing; they wor
rubber after rubber, while our score were
scarcely worth counting; but l must say
it was chiefly owing to the splendid card:
held by Mr.. Oldwnk. could not under.
stand how it was, that, when that gentle
man dealt he invaribly turned up an hon.
or, and had generally two more of the
same suit to keep its company, with a
long hand of something else to follow
| don't think I'm bad tempered fellow,
but really l began to feel very aggravated
at losing one half crown after another in
the manner | did but Mr.. Purkiss, who
of course lost ms much as ! did, was So
cool and quiet, that | was ashamed to
display my il-feeling. At the conclusion
of the fourth rubber, Mr.. Purkiss got up,
turned his chair round three times, and
then sat down again. Scatcher rubbed
his chin, and was evidently puzzled.-
Mr.. Purkiss smiled.
"When ] was a lad +" said he, 81 re.
member hearing my grandmother say
that when you were unluclly at cards it
was good thing to turn your Chain
round three times; SO we may as well try
an old woman's remedy"
1t may seem hard to believe, but it is
nevertheless a fact, that, after my part
ner had turned his chair, he never failed,
when it was his deal, to turn up an honor
and hold two more in his hand, so that
the next two rubbers were won by u.s.
At the end Of the second Mr.. Oldwink
got up, rather hastily as it seemed, and
said he was tired of playing; and Mr.
Purkiss had a quite laugh to himself in a
corner. So | opened fresh box OF
cheroots, and the cards were put away.
Next morning, as [ was coming down
stairs; Mr.. Oldwink called me into his
room, and shut the door.
"Who is that Mr.. Purkiss who was
playing with us last night?" he asked.
'I know no more of him than you do,
sir. He sits in the commercial-room; lie
has been here four days; and how much
longer he intends staying don't know"
"To speak tho truth, Jobson, | don't
like the looks of that man."
81 am no great admirer Of him myself,
sir"
Mind, Jobson, don't say the man is
not an honest man, nor meritorious
man, and / am merely speaking in your
interest, Jobson-for such a matter can
in no other way concern me-when | say
keep your eyes on the spoons. hope l
am not wronging the man when / state
it as my opinion = and conscientously l
state it that he has somewhat of a
hany-dog countcnance."
/ was much obliged to Mr.. Oldwint
for putting me on my guard, and so |
told him. | then went down to Jim,
and consulted with him as to what ought
to be done. jim had nothing to advise,
except that he should still continue to
keep his eye on Mr.. Purkiss. He agreed
with me that it was rather a suspicious
case; and at last suggested that the opin-
ion of Mrs. Jobson should be taken. -
So together we went to my wife, and
opened the matter to her. We, however,
gained no advantage by the proceeding.
She called Jim and me pair of old fools;
declared that Mr.. Purkiss was one of the
incest gentlemen she had over came
across, and gave it as her opinion that
Mr.. Oldwink was nothing but humbug.
jim and retired dscomfted, and talked
the matter over again in the pantry
Jim's gimlet eye did double duty for the
remainder of the day.
1t was relief to all parties when Mr.
n. -