The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-02-06
The Actors Ruse.

II happened, in the summer of '62,
that Charley--(well known to the
professon) and l were travelling from
the West to fulfil an engagement with
Ward. who bad opened theatrical
campaign in Quebec. We had arrived
ut Montreal "right side up with care"
and while asking the proprietor Of tho
hotel the best means Of travelling from
tha. city to ''ye ancierte capital"
stranger stepped into tho bar, ana from
the covert glance he cast at us. and
his style of dress, we at once saw that
ne wac o professional gambler, and
not liking his company, we were light
ing our cigars to go out when he, partly
guessing, aswc thought, our intentions,
stepped out before us; and then the
proprietor, in answer to our questions
about the best route, said that there
was u splendid line Of steamers from
that city to Qebec; bul to look out for
the person we had met, as he was on
par with the notorious Mlsslssippi
gamblers, and pied his "biz" regular
on the boat between Montreal and Que
Il
adjourned to our room to prepare our
things, and rs it was about two hours
before tho boat started, went down
down TO tho billiard room to "shoot II
string When | got back ] was as.
tonshed to see Charley rugged up in
! his costume as Asa, IN "Our American
Cousin" and upon asking him what nc
meant, he said that for u day or two
he was "Scth Riddcl." from Vermont
a big thing on hogs, and bound to skin
the Canadian catnmount.
On getting on board the Columbia
and gong to the bar, there, sure enough
was our friend Of tho afternoon, dress.
cd TO kill, and partaking Of mint
julep. Just then Seth camo in, and,
clapplng me on the back, said:
"Wcll, durn my rlctur, if hyur amt
Harry Price, from down to our State
Why, whar on airth did yo git thom
slap up fxins ?" alluding to my chain,
suit OF broadcloth, etc. "Why, bless
my eyes, you du look kinder nice, but
como, let's Ticker Say stranger,
pointing TO the Frenchmen, wont you
smile 2"
After getting our "swipes" and ci-
gars, Seth, while paying, took good
care to show q wallet well filled
with notes, to the admlring eye Of the
gambler. After sundry vets, the con.
vcrsation. turned on cards; and
rs it was getting late, the stranger
proposed game, but Seth broke il
with
"Nua, you don't, stranger; my gal u
hum said had not orter touch II keer'
cd, and as | have jest got rid Of them
sheep, | rather guess I'll hang on tu
the spondulcX."
The stranger thon set down, and
picking out three cards, began fooling
with them, and upon my asking hin
what he was doing, ho showed Seth {
card, aud asked him to watch it and
point it out. Seth did so, and obser
ved that'his "brother Zelc, kneo-higf
ontu grasshopper could dn that!'
"Well,, replied tho Frenchman, q.
don't think he could, nor you either. "
, "AH right" said Seth; I'D lik,
to bet n quarter of my pile on it /
and Seth laid down FIVE hunder dollar
. every cent he had in tho world; bu
the gambler, thinking he had ffeer
hundred dollars more, used the card
ana let him win.
TRY again" said French.
, "Wall, no, rather guess not, thi
| FIVE hundred dellars yu see'll buy then
AIR oxen for the farm, and q pile t
, spare; and besides, stranger, l coul'
} wiz every time, and wouldn't like t
rob yu; but as Its again my grain t
> partlik pair of bantam roosters, let
drink %
AS We were going down the cabil
! stairs to the bar heard the click of
/ pistol, and upon turning round wa
Q Just in time To see the gambler level:n
r it at Seth; putting all my force TO m.
= blow, before he could spring the trig
| ger, stru tx HIM ful! IN tho eyes, fol
. ling him like an OK.
q We Just then arrived ia Quebec, an
t won't II shore. Wo never saw on
''sportsman" again. Charley and
: took trip to Europe that tall, partl
OH the strcnghth Of the five hundre
0 dollars, ard TO crown all, he is now on
. Of the stars of the great metropolis
= London.
= NEATNEss IL not gaudiness, any MOI
a