Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-01-28

| nodded TO him, and went on with the game,
which | won in a canter.
" Like my confounded luck :" said the
Captain, tossing down the FIVE shillings and
spitefully digging his cue into the chalk till
1t actually squeaked with pain but I'm
always a happy go lucky; come, I'll have
another go
d" That's right, Fred said the Jew ::
"a never say die; but, lord, your re no match
for this gentleman. You never could do the
long stroke you never put side enough on,
does he, marker p"
The drowsy marker, who had been me
chanically doling out the score. shrugged his
shoulders and said
d" The Captain plays a very Good game
when he tries; but he does not always
leave EN- as be should do.
Suppose We have a little more liquid be
fore We begin again, SAID the Captain 10 me.
" What shall it be- | feel awiully dry.
Let's have some more brandy. | can't hit
it, somehow, tonight at all. How awiully
missed that last cannon i'
Well, you did, 80 said the jew. " Why,
| believe could have got that
90, of course YOU could you can do any
thing. Touch the bell, marker thank you.
Excuse me a moment, sir ! must Just 60
and secure my bed. didn't tell them
should sleep here. Come along, Mosy, 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.
- Y 0u may think me intrusive he said,
'' but do let me strongly advise You not to
Tlay another game with that fellow. That
Is Macdougall, one of the most notorious
billiard sharpers in London the jew Is an
I acc0mplicc. The rascal has let YOU win
the first game he'll now propose higher
stakes, and win. Take care too, or they Il
doctor your brandy. They've gone out now
to get something TO make it get into your
head faster before the betting begins. |
have no motive, you must see, but the interest
| feel for a young man unaequainted with
London tricks Hush here they come. ~
just at that moment the brandy ana the
two thieves came in. observed the Jew in
stantly 90 toward the smoking glasses and
stir one Of them round as he tu rned his back
to me.
The Captain pulled oG his coat, turned up
his right shirt cuff, and spotted the red ball
with his usual gay nonchalance. " You be
gin, he said
Thank Won, said /, putting on my
coat, '' / don't think l shall play any more
tonight
Sc Not play? not play why. You engaged
with me, he said, looking round the room
in surprise, half, in suspicion half in anger.
- May 1 ask, sir, what has produced this
sudden change of intention ?'
-' Marker, said /, YOU NAV take that
brandy and water have had enough i'm
afraid YOU i find it rather strong
30, | see. said the Captain. unmas king
at once and advancing tbreateningly toward
the Vicar, who wa- watching him Ike I'll
hawk. This fellow here, whoever be may
be, has been good enough 20 SANDER me and
my friend while nv back was turned. And
pray, sir, who are you? o. As he said this be
walked up TO the \ lear, Aourishing the but-
end Of his cue menacinglv. a. don't know
your name, be said, with a long impudcnt
fixed stare, or where YOU arc pars1n, but
YOU re as like lag once knew in Australia
as two peas You remember Gentlemen
Jack, Mosy?"
"Of course do. and. s'elp ne, but he's 5
the very image of him, iabbered the jew.
.' You were, then, presume, in the same
chain gang, said the Vicar, as he rose and
cienched his fist. I'm bear this insoience
no longer. You are both notorious Billiard
sharpers. the mar ker 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 wsiter for constable and
give YOU in charge. Now you be oh. !
won't take the trouble to knock down this
sham Captain Tor his ins0lence-a feather
would do that Go, both of YOU. iI not
let my friend here be robbed by Two such
pitiful thieves
The Captain was p5itroon. saw that
he could have stabbed the Vicar on the spot
His color came and went. He had once re-
solved on a rush; then fear seized him. As
he saw his adversary standing like q marble
statue-a phalanx in himself NuJtering
and cursing, the -wD rascals -lu1k away,
ike Satan from the spear Of the arc lansel.
IS Perfect strangers TO me, | assl're you,
gents, said the marker never seed 'en,
afore in my life.
You don't take your brandy - said l.
d" Don't seem to care for any more, thank
you, sir. You pay for the table, sir?'
E. he doesn't deserve it, bat still Jay,
said the Vicar. So paid.
' The police shall know how these rooms
are conducted, depend upon it,, be said o.
the marker as we left '' YOU might as well
garrotte a man at once. W hat a city he
said to me as We turned to the hotel. and !
thanked him for his good advice. - W hat a
whirlpool of goddess iniquitv Adulterated
hread-adulterated e-aduterated beer
aduterated medicines-the verv aduitcrating
( ingredients themselves adulteratei At
every foot one walks a snare. in every street
a pitiall; virtue only vice disguised, and
vice itself rs like virtue as if she was her
twin-sister sham everything When viii
the fire descend upon it, When will the fire
descend?"
In the coffee room, where we sat talking
for half an hour, | expressed my surpT ise at
the Wears entering public billiard ro )m.
" Y on do not know me, he said. t am
like Palev | am never afraid of hum 1u-7.
| | like to see the devils schemes, that I may
counteract them. We Church-of-Eng land
men know too little of the world tb at is
why the Beials and the Asmode Of cities
cheat and fool US 50 often and outraged lsly.
| make a point when | visit the metr0I oils,
of occasionally going to such places. Another
night you might have met me at Cremo rne,
or at the equally dangerous Alhambra. 1t Is
nv duty. sir. and however unpleasant. | 20
everywhere to see sin and folly at their iloc d
tide You will at least admitthat my expel l.
ence Of rascality has been useful to You To-
night -
" owe YOU thousand thanks. | replied
:. | had heard Of billiard sharpers, but had
never met any before.
- think III wish You good night now,
he said, - as am accustomed to early coun-
try hours, and begin to feel what children
call the sandman busy at my eyes To-
morrow. then. at rs, We meet. Good
night"
So ! wished the Vicar good night. and We
parted. | was out nearly all day, making
calls and transacting business. | got back t.
the hotel about hali-past six, ordered dowu
my luggage, and asked at the bar if the Rev.
Mr.. Atkinson was gone. The porter said be
was On the platform waiting for me He
mad Just paid his bill and taken his luggage
forward.
- took my ticket, but did not see him
got my luggage labeled for Exeter still
he did not appear but whea the guard
opened the door of first-class carriage for
me- found plaid and some books on the
opposite seat.
= There's gentleman, sir. clergyman,
taken tnat seat. He's been looking for a
friend Isuppose that's yon, sir. II he don t
look sharp, he II miss toe tram
The guard had already come for the tick
ets. The sharp cry, " Take your seats -
had Just gone forth, when the Vicar came
running up. and said. " Open this door,
guard. The guard opened the door. and the
Vicar took his place, laughing, opposite me.
hardly knew him at first, for he wore a
large dark greatcoat, and had on a travelling
cap drawn down over his eyes and with flaps
over his ears. He had roll of papers and
Two magazines in his hand.
! How hate this fuss and hurry - he
sa,l' a. he folded his plaid over his legs !;
Nv NJ" @ nate this destruction of all individu-
any me a. men was young, the coach Journey
was ueloerate quiet afiair-the traveller