Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-01
SHARP WORK.
From Leisu,r,e, Hours for october. j

two young men, one lad scarcely
twenty, rather fashionably dressed, and
the other some ten years older, and evI-
IDENTIFY son Of canny Scotland.
The bell had rung, and the train was
just ready TO start, when three other per
sons, whom | had noticed lettering on
the platform, jumped hastily in and took
their seats. All three were near the
middle age, and two of them, whose garb
indicated that they were sporting char
acters, had that blase look which juvenile
"gents often assume, as ifit weresome-
thing to be proud OF, while those with
whom il is the natural and settled ex-
preston are as often at inconsiderable
pains to get rid off The third seemed
TO be gentleman farmer, though it was
soon made apparent that his only claim
to be so considered lay in the costume he
had adopted.
The sky was dull and cloudy. and oc-
casionally smart spurts OF ram came
down, yelling the distant landscape from
view. A few commonplace remarks were
exchanged relative to the weather, and a
feeble attempt was made to get up a con
versation on the subject of current poll
/ 81,
hour we rode ON in silence, save for the
noise of the rushing train, and a long
drawn yawn or two admirably given by
the farmer-looking gentleman. Then we
stopped at a station for a minute or so
to take in water, as understood, for the
next run, which would be of near two
hours continuance. We had scarcely
got the steam fairly up again when one
Of the sporting gentlemen drew a pack
of cards from his breast pocket and pro-
1 posed that we should break the dismal
monotony of the journey and keep our
selves awake by friendly game.
Suspecting his object, paid no atten-
ton to the proposition, but waited to see
what would happen. Not so the elderly
! invalid He became nervously excited
the moment the cards caught his eye,
protested violently against their produc-
ton, and threatened the vengeance OF
the law against card-sharping. This Ian
guage only provoked torrent Of abuse,
mingled with jeers and taunts and hints
of violence, which, increasing his nerv-
GUS agitation, silenced him effectually
A species of card table was then extern
porized by means. of railway rug
stretched from knee to knee, and it was
proposed to cut for partners at whist.
But as no one responded TO this appeal
the gentleman forbore to press it, and
selecting three cards from the pack began
to show us what he termed an amusing
trick by way of pastime.
OF the three cards, one was knave OF
Jack and the trick consisted in shuil'
ling the three with their faces upward, SC
that the position of the knave was visible
to the spectator, then turning their faces
downward, and challenging the spectator
to select the knave from the three
Nothing seems easier than to do so, see
ing that the cards we're shuffied so little
and so slowly that it was hardly possible
to lose sight of the one to be drawn
e So confident, however, was the performer
that he offered to bet any sum from 9
shilling to sovereign against any one
drawing the picture card, try it who
would. At the same time he turned t.
look out at the window, and, while hii
head was turned, his confederate, who
sat opposite, lifted the cards, faced then
moment, and dropped them again,
"Ill bet you sovereign draw the
knave,' said the young lad eagerly
doubtless thinking that he could not be
mistaken.
"Dinna be sac daft, laddie, said the
Scotchman, arresting the young fellows
arm as he was drawing forth his purse,
yell only lose your siller
o1; nu onntrw "t~ oantleman now coming
an in his trne Character. THE gentle
man can do as he likes. | suppose, and
we'll have none of your meddilng" Al
the same time he dashed away the
Scotchman' S arms, and starting up sud-
denly stood over him with his clenched
6st within an inch of his face.
But tbe bully had mistaken his man.
The next moment his head rang against
the hack of the carriage, and he lay back
motionIess. as IL dazed with the violence
of the shock; and his adversary, per.
fectly cool, was now standing over him.
II ne'r allow ony mon to put a fist /
my face" he said; gin We do that again
VEN be the waur O it, Then he looked
round with a touch of the wha-daur-med
dla-w;-me in the CLEAN of his eve. and
apiatly resumed his seat. .i.fsTW "a
THE bully sat cowed, muttering saw
agely to him self as if intending to renew
the assault. Perhaps he plight have
done so had he not been called to ordel
by the man who held the cards. Bt
quiet, David said that worthy; what.
the good of making disturbance?
And David was quiet, shifting himse!
into Q corner, and closing his eyes as Il
for nap.
This short scene ought TO have opened
! the ewes Of youth who had volunteered
, he wager, but it did not, and he was still
! eaqer 10 try his fortune. The ScotchmaI
aid not again interfere, but allowed th,
stupid fellow to have his way. He wa
I clever enough. as he imaged, to win th,
, first bet, and Of course had no objection t
venture second. The game went OF
briskly after this, the Young fellow win
ming occasionally, but oftener losing
and growing hot and flushed under tn,
anxiety and excitement of the sport
Before half an hour had elapsed it be
came evident il vas anything but spor
10 him; the few sovereig1s il his purs,
Ind. vanished, and he had changed {
pv.antu fannd note with his adversary