Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-01-27

~ llIJle jew. lHcJ PioJSu ACoooh"oiJ
well, and once or twice the Captain Gas he
was called) made winning hazard that
rather astonished me, had it not been OBJ
viously the effect of luck more than Of
skill. AT the end of the game the Jew
hleft and the Captain, after one or two cx-
detrimental strokes, in which he failed,
asked me if | had any objection to game.
| accepted the invitation, being rather
proud of my play. Just as I had selected
my cue and chalked the end, lie little Jew
returned and perched himself on high
seat close to the marker Five shillings a
game, the Captain proposed, just to pre-
vent it being insipid.
zone gets so doosed careless" he said,
elf one doesn't play for something
Mosey, be kind enough to touch the bell.
l must have some brandy hot; that in
fernal cham we had at Greenwich has,
declare, made me feel quite queer"
The waiter came; and after a gulp of
the brandy, the Captain said he felt more
himself and made one or two very fair
strokes; then he fell off again, and missed
twice.
Erred, you're no good tonight; not a
bit of good" said the Jew. =" shall put
my money on this gentleman, for he plays
good steady game"
| made three very good strokes In sue
cesson, encouraged by this praise lass
that was); and every time scored the
Jew rolled back in his sect and exclaimed,
with JUNCTION:
"Stroke, indeed !"
As turned to chalk my cue and take
the red ball out of the eft-hand top pocket,
into which I had struck it, | saw, to my
surprise, the stern calm face of my friend
of the morning fixed steadily on me. He
had come in unnoticed by me, and was
sitting near the marker, and speaking to
him in low voice. nodded to him, and
went on with the game, which | won in a
canter.
"Like my COMPOUNDED luck p said the
Captain, tossing down the five shillings
and spitefully digging his cue into the
chalk till it actually squeaked with pain
but Pm always happy go lucky; come,
III have another 60"
"Thats right, Fred" said the Jew ;
"never say die but, lord, you're no match
for this gentleman. You never could do
the long stroke; you never put side
enough on, does he, marker"
The drowsy marker, who had been
mechanically doing out the score,
shrugged his shoulders and said:
1.-THE Captain plays 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 it be? | feel awfully
dry. Let's have some more brandy.
can't hit it, somehow, tonight atall. How
awfllly missed that last carrom p
"Well, you did," said the Jew. "Why, /
believe could have got that"
ooh, of course you could; you can do
anything. Touch the bell, marker; thank
you. Excuse me moment, Sir; must
90 and secure my bed. | didn't tell them
I should sleep here. Come along, Mosey,
and see about yours"
The moment they had gone, the Vicar
of Bagshot came straight up to me with a
very serious and earnest expression on
his face.
"You may think me intrusive" he said,
&C. but do let me strongly advise you not to
play another game with that fellow. That
is Macdougall, one of the most notorious
billiard sharpers in London; the Jew is
an accomplice. The rascal has let you
win the fir,t game; he'll now propose
higher stakes, and win. Take care, too,
or they'll doctor your brandy. They've
gone out now to get something to make 1t
get into your head faster before the bet
ting begins. have no motive, you must
see, but the interest | feel for young
man unacquainted with London tricks.
Hush here they come"
Just at this moment the brandy and the
two thieves came in. l observed the Jew
instantly 60 toward the smoking glasses
his back to me.
The Captain pulled off his coat, turned
: up his right siirt.cuif, and spotted the red
ball with his usual gay nonchalance.
"You Begin he said.
"Thank you" said l, putting on my
coat, 81 don't think l shall play any more
, tonight
"Not play? not play? why, you engaged
with " he said, looking around the
room in surprise, half in suspicion, half in
anger "May | ask, sir, what has pro.
duced this sudden change of intention?"
Marker" said |, "you may take that
brandy and water--I have had enough
I'm afraid you'll find it rather strong"
go, Sec" said the Captain, unmasking
at once and advancing threateningly to-
ward the Vicar, who was watching him
{ like hawk. "This fellow here, whoever
, he may be, has been good enough to Sian.
| der me while my back was turned. And
: pray, sir, who are your" As he said this
) he walked up to the Vicar, tlourishing the
but end of his cue menacingly. 81 don't
! know your NAME" he said, with a long
, impudent fixed stare, cor where you are
, parson, but you're as like a lag | once
knew in Australia as two peas You re-
member Gentleman Jack, Moseys'
"Of course do, and s'elp me, but he's
> the very image of him, jabbered the Jew.
. "You wore then, probably in the same
, chain gang" said the Vicar, as he rose
and clenched his fist. "Tll bear this in.