The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-08-03
The arx.terious Joker.

Not long since the writer was slltihg
one evening in country store, not far
from Chicago There. was the usual
crowd Of town and country folks loaf
ling around, sitting on nail kegs and the
Counter, smoking villainous tobacco and
expectorating in every direction.
And then there entered sedate indl.
vidual, with a countenance ministerial
in its gravity, and a short coat in which
there were side pockets. He leaned
\ over the counter for some article,
and cave MS whole soul 10 its examina-
/ ton
! Then entered another person, also a
stranger. He was young, sprightly and
jolly. His countenance was trimming
with humor. He greeted the crowd
with jolly "How are You, bosses p in
a way that prepossessed every hawbuck
in his favor.
He was restless as a monkey. First
he begged quid. Then he took the
plug and jack knife and tossed them
over and under, catching and throwing
them with one hand. Then he made
smutty remark or two, and by this
time he was the observed Of all OBJ
servers.
Except one. The ministerial gentle
man who was leaning over the counter
made no sign. He never once looked
around
The jolly youth caught sight Of the
grave man, and gazed at him with
quizzical expression. Then he picked
up piece of paper, and in pantomime
pinned it on the tail of the grave mans
coat. Whereat there was much sur
pressed horse laughing in the crowd.
And now the young joker spied
little piece of white string hanging
from the pocket of the other. APP
preaching him on tip-toe with many a
wink to the rustics he took hold Of the
string and carefully drew it forth.
With it came a little parcel wrapped in
wine. .....
Swiftly the joker unwound the Irvine
and covering Of white paper Inside
was common business card folded to-
gether through the middle. Within it
lay three cent piece. This the joker,
with a grin, handed to a bystander,
then quickly folded the little parcel,
and replaced it in the others pocket
And now the joke was getting so
broad and funny that many of the hi
larious spectators were tickled nigh into
commissions. Finally attracted by the
laughter, the grave man looked around.
He found himself the centre of eyes.
lie was confused. He thrust his hands
behind him. lie glanced over his per-
son. Then he put his hands in his
pockets, and, in withdrawing them,
there came Out-quite accidentally of
course-the parcel 1t fell to the floor.
He stopped and picked it up.
What YOU got doneup so well?' in
quired the joker, with a smile at his
grinuing auditory.
"Oh, nothing answered gravity,
confusedly.
Nothing? A heap of pains You take
to wrap up nothing
"Well, then, if you must know, |
have got three-cent silver piece, in
there; which wrapped up for my little
boy.
A thrce-ccnt piece IIaw! haw
haw!' said the joker, and "lIaw haw
hawH said the crowd.
Yes, sir, three-cent piece, upon my
honor and was about to put it back
in his pocket.
Hold on mister said the other,
you cant play that you know I'll
just bet my life YOU aint got any three
cent piece in that parcel.
Young man you're q fool, and III
just teach you lesson. don't bet as
a general thing, but I'll bet YOU 800
that there is three-cent piece in that
paper"
I'm your man. said the joker He
pulled out his wallet and counted out
SD. See here, said he, "lv We only got
SIS, I'll just bet you that
"An hundred dollars or nothing" said
the other as he laid five 500 bills on the
counter.
The joker was nonplussed. Then a
bright idea struck him. He turned to
the crowd. Say, boys let's pool in
and make up a hundred dollars, and
then divide. Serve him right TO beat
him.
The boys pulled ont their pocket
books. 4 five here and a ten there
swelled the 50 to 800. The joker
held the stakes and then the serious
man undid the parcel. lie opened the
folded card. One end of it was split,
and within the split was rhree-cent
piece.
The joker handed over the stakes
and left in disgust \ moment later
the others followed him, and a socm nj
ty like unto that of sad funeral fell
upon the faces of the assembly.
For several days after, the two gentle
men from Chicago enjoyed themselves.
They belonged TO the order of confidence
men, and they were in funds. They had
Just returned from a six hours trip in
the country-Poiinto, IN Chicago 'S'n-
day Times.
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