The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-02-25
VOL. w. NO. "a.

the end of the game the Jew left, and The
captain, after one Gr two experimental
strokes, in which he failed, asked me if
had any objections to game. accepted
the invitation, being rather proud of ny
play. just as had selected my cue anc
chalked the end, the little Jew returned
and perched himself on high seat Gloss
to the marker. Five shillings game, tn,
Captain proposed, just to prevent it being
insipid.
Zone gets so doosed careless, j" he said
'ff one doesn't play for sonnet ing. Messy
be kind enough to touch the bell, 1 mus
have some brandy hot; that internal chan
we had at Greenwich has, declare, made
me feel qnite clear"
The waiter came, and after gulp of the
brandy the captain said he felt more him
SELF and made one or two very fair strokes
then he fell off again and missed twice.
Fred, you're no good tong It; not a bi
of good" said the Jew. Il shall put my
money on this gentleman, for he plays &
good steady game"
/ made three very good strokes in sue.
cession, encouraged by this praise (5ss that
1 wash, and every time scored the Jew
rolled back in his seat and exclaimed with
JUNCTION.
''Sroke, indeedl"
AS turned to chalk my cue and take
the red baltout of the lett hand top pock.
ct, into which had struck ii, saw, to nv
surprise, the stern calm face of my friend
of the morning fixed steadily on ME. He
had come IN unnoticed bv me, and was
sitting near the marker, and speaking tc
him in a low voice. 1 nodded to him and
went on with the game, which I won in Q
canter.
Like my eonfounded luck" said the
captain, tossing down the five shillings.
and spitefully digging his cue into the
chalk until 1t actually squeaked with pain:
..but I'm always happy go-lucky; come,
I'll have another go.
That's right, Fred, said the Jew s.ne-
yer say die; but, Lord, you're no match
for this gentleman. You never could do
the long stroke; you never put side enough
/ on, doeshe, markef?"
The drowsy marker who had been
mechanically doing at the score, shrugged
his shoulders and said:
l. ''The captain plays q very good game
when he tries; but he does not always leave
em as he should do"
Suppose we have little more liquid
before we begin again." said the captain
to me. "What shall 1t be2 1 feel awfuliy
dry. Let's have some more brandy. 1
can't hit it, somehow, tonight, at all. How
swfully l missed that last caromr
''Well, you did," said the Jew. ''Why
1 believe could have got that"
s.Oh, of course you could; you can do
anything. Touch the bell, markefg thank
you. Excuse me a moment sir. must go
and secure my bed. 1 didn't tell them 1
should sleep here. Come along Messy and
see about yours. -
The moment they had gone the Vicar
of Bagshot came straight up to me with
very serious and earnest expression on
his face.
''You may think me intrusive, " he said
''but do let me strongly advise you not to
play another game with that fellow. That
is Mscdougall, one of the most notorious
billiard sharpers Ia London; the Jew is an
accomphce. The rascal has let you win
the first game, he'll now propose higher
stakes andRin. Take care, too, or they'll
doctor yonr brandy. They have gone now
10 get something to make it get into your
head faster before the betting begins. 1
have no motive, you must see, but the in
terest 1 feel for young man unacqu1inted
with London tricks. HushI Here they
come"
-Jnst at that moment the brandy and the
two thieves came in. l observed the Jew
] instantly 60 toward the smoking glasses
and stir one of them round as he turned
! his back to me.
The captain pulled off his coat, turned
mp his night shlrt-cuff, and spotted the red
ball with his usual gay nonchalance. ''You
begin, he said
Thank you" said 1, putting on my coat,
81 don't think shall play any more to-
might"
''Not play? not play? why, you engaged
with me-" he said, looking around the
room in surprise, half In suspicion, half in
anger. 'May ask, sir, what has produced
this sudden change of intention?"
Marker" said 1, 'syou may take that
brandy and water-I have had enough; I'm
afraid you'll find it rather strong"
80, see, said the captain, unmasking
at once and advanced threateninely to-
wards the vicar, vino was watching him like
hawk, ''this fellow here, whoever he may
be, has been good enough to SANDER me
and my friend while my back was turned
And pray, sir, who are you?" As he said
this he walked up to the vicar, hourishing
the butt end of his cue menacingly. 'I
don't know your aame,'f he said, with a
Rs
are parson, but you're as like lag once
knew in Australia as two peas. You re-
member gentleman Jack, Mossy?"
''0t course do, and s'elp me, but he's
the very image of him." iabbered the Jew.
'You were, then, presume, in the same
chains gang, said the vicar, as he rose and
clenched his fist. ''Pll bear this insolence
no longer. You are both notorious billiard
hsppers; the marker knows it, and has
been paid for admitting you. The police
all know you. One word more and I'll ring
the bell and send the waiter for a constable
and give you in charge. Now you be of
won't take the trouble to knock down this
sham captain for his insolenoe-a feather
would do that Go, both ofyou; I'll not let
my friend here be robbed by two sucll pitt
ful thieves"
The captain was poltroon. l saw that
he could have stabbed the vicar on the
spot. His color come and went He had
once resolved on a rush; then a fear seized
him, as he saw his adversary standing like
marble statue-a phalanx in himself -
Muttering ana cuIsIng, the two raseals
skunk away, like Satan from the spear of
the Archangel.
sPerfect strangers to me, 1 assure you,
gents, said the marker; never seed 'em
sfore in my life
lyon don't take to your brandy" said L
"Don't seem to care for any more, thank
you, sir. You pay for the table, SIR.
"He doesn't deserve it, but still pay, &"
said the vicar. Sol paid.
THE police shall know how these rooms
are conducted, depend upon it, " he said to
the marker as he lett; lyon might as well
garrote q man at once. What ethyl" he
said to me as We turned 10 the hotel, and I
thanked him for his good advice. ssWhat
whirlpool of goddess iniquity! Adulter-
ated bread -adulterated wine -adulterated
beer-adulterated medicines the very ad-
ulterated ingredients themselves adulterat-
edl At every foot one walks a snare; in
every street pitfsll: virtue only vice dis
guised, and vice itself as like virtue as if
sbo were her twin sister; sham everythingl
When will the fire descend uponit? When
will the fire descend?"
In the coffee-room, where we sat talking
for half an hour, 1 expressed my surprise
at the wears entering a public billiard
room.
You do not know me, Z" he said "Iam
like Paley; am never afraid Of humbugs
l like to see the devils schemes, that may
couBteract them. We chUrch-of-England
men know too little Of the world; that is
why The belials and asmodes of cities cheat
and fool us so often and outrsgeously.