The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-29
BILLIARDS.

The Match Between Dion and Foster-A
Very Curious Game-Thc Contest Very
Close-Fostcr the Winner.
The Academy OF Music has often been filed with
audiences or various kinds. Within its walls the
fashion OF the city has congreQated to listen TO the
sweet strains Of grand opera; Its floor has been
filed by beauty and chivalry who have kept
time with their feet to the music OF the BALI In fact
oil sorts and conditions OF people, on all sorts OF
occasions, have gathered beneath its roof. Last
night the Fourteenth street establishment was occu
pied for the first time by the lovers OF the fashionable
game Of billiards. who turned out in force TO witness
the great match between Melvin Foster OF this city,
and Joseph Dion, Of Montreal. The assembIage was,
par excellence, gathering OF sporting men. A few
ladies' occupied the boxes, but the building else.
where was iilled with On assemblage OF males who
took up their positions in every part OF the house
where any view Of the table on which the game was
peculiar one. There were old sports and
young sports, genuine sports and woud-be sports,
well TO do sports and broken down sports. There
were present elderly men who we're known by every
body In sporting circles young men who are rapidly
learning TO take the places OF their elders when their
race shall be n cesss a wno oye ne s
came see what o game OF billiards. really was. All
these and many more were crowded together In the
elevated parts OF the house. some trusting their
own eyes, Others using spectacles eye glasses or
opera glasses, and stretching their necks
to watch the play OF the PROFESSIONALS
who were contestinE for the stakes. The com
pany was very orderly one and It's members
conducted themselves with az much decorum as II
II had been o grand opera night When either
players made good shots their friends appauded
them vociferously; some Of the demonstratve ones
showed their feeling by loud EXPLANATIONS Of the
usual admrative style, and some OF the profane
manifested their delight dissatisfaction by giving
vent to expressions which II would be naughty TO
repeat But Notwithstanding all this the audience,
rather the spectators were In every sense OF the
word quiet, and had not once TO be called to order
The orchestra had been noOred over and upon II
the table On which the game was 70 be played mad
been placed, over which were two strings OF coun-
tiers OF unusual size. About quarter past eight
the players entered the room, accompanied by Mr.:
the stage and announced that the game
about to be played was match game
between Melvin Foster, OF New York city,
and Joseph Dion. The game was three ball carom
Mr.. Chris O,Connor was appointed umpire BY Mr..
Foster, Mr.. T. Foley, OF Chicago, az umpire for Mr.
Dion, and Mr.. Phil Herman, OF Gincinnatt was
chosen referee. The game was kept by Maurice
DALEY. The players went to the table at twenty
four minutes past eighs and strung up for lead,
his first innings, Foster making nothing, IN the
second, however, Foster scored to Di0ns nothing
Both players were evidently nervous and played
more for safety than for score. Foster continued his
ovsrhauled him, both scores standing at 40. After
the twentysixth to the thirty-nfth Foster did not
make point Dion on the contrary, running up
10 So. Up TO the sixty-nfth innings Uon con-
tinued to improve on his position the score
standing, Foster, 81; Dion, lis; but IN
and began to play with more confidence. From this
stage OF the game until the seventy ninth inning
Foster continued to gain upon his opponent, and
making run Of IL points the game at the