Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1864-06-22

Hou will have to part with Mrs. Jones'
piano as it is, I expect
Sir, replied Jones with resolution,
upon the cards which I hold here
would brag Mrs. Jones herself with the
utmost confidence
You had better not, responded the
bachelor darkly. And again there was a
shrek of laughter from the audience who
we're not permitted to be spectators.
Now, my dear Smith, let us under
stand one another. If you continue to
play this game, you will never ride in a
frst-class carriage again. Ishould be
sorry to be the means of driving you into
the parliamentary Tell me how mucR
money you can afford to lose without GO
ing to Jail, and will brag that
4 win brag two hundred and fifty
pounds, quoth Smith calmly; and you
had better give me a bill of cash upon
your furniture at once. I am quite sure
you haven't got so much in your bankers
hands.
4 will brag FIVE hundred, answered
Jones with his teeth clenched. L will
brag my house and garden, I will brag
myselfand my government situation. If,
instead Of being in the express train. we
were in the middle ages, and you were
the Old Gentleman himself, warn you
that I would brag my soul.
Then you would lose it, responded
Smith, to a dead certainty, and should
have made very Indifferent bargain.
Now, listen Let the last brag of two
hundred and fifty stand; and Robinson
and Lloyd shall look at my hand, and
Brown at yours. Then we will be bound
by their advice, and if they say to either
Of us Stop, we viii do so
Very good, quoth Jones, showing
his cards with a grim smile to his left
hand neighbor Iwould have given any
thing to see them also, but being a strau-
ger, l did not venture to ask to do SO.
Do you think, Brown, ought to give /
in to Smith with a hand like this, or do
you mott?
1T is quite impossible observed Mr..
Brown sOlemnly, that any man should
give up such cards. I think, under the
that I am almost justified
in saying that Smith cannot win
what do you say?' inquired Smith,
the face of his cards to his two
friends with the most careful secrecy, and
for their reply with triumphant
Its absurd, quoth Mr., Robinson;
you're sure of winning
4 would lay thousand pounds upon
such cards, said NJ Lloyd.
Stopr exclaimed Jones; I will brag
a thousand pounds myself, and what he
can't pay, Will let him off, after having
sold his books and personal clothing.
We are now getting close to Manchester.
Let US each wrap up our cards in a news
paper, and go into the station, and get
them sealed up; then we can call for
them in the evening, and brag all the
way home. You miserable Smith! you
set out this morning in competence; you
will return a beggar.
You will, indeed, cOrroberated Mr..
Brown.
Unhappy Jones, quoth Smith; 'cer-
tainly, those whom the gods wish to des-
troy, they first make mad. This morn
ing, you probably complained of the kid
neys being underdone at breakfast To-
morrow, your wife and children shall be
in want Of daily bread
They viii, indeed, echoed Messrs.
Lloyd and Robinson.
-.' Gentlemen, said I, ) lit seems, to me
this matter will never be settled except
by arbitration. I have not the honor Of
the personal acquaintance Of any of you,
but l am an honest man; and if both the
players will show their cards to me, I VIII
til them truly which ought to give in.
This will be better and more pleasing, I
am sure, whether to winner or loser, than
the utter ruin of either Of them can pos
sibly be-
1 am quite content with that arrange
ment observed Smith, although, of
course. it is a pecuniary sacrifice
You're a noble feIlowr exclaimed
Nessrs. Lloyd and Robinson, with ire
pressible admiration.
Then I am also content, remarked
Jones, although I needs must lose by
such an arrangement
Generous beingP exclaimed Brown
enthusiastically-'yes, he needs must
lose.
I rose from my seat and looked over
Smiths cards. He had three aces-the
best hand that any man can hold. Z
turned from him with sorrow in my heart
for the poor married man, and looked