The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-03-23

seYeen.app so wife, OF ,sGood as wheat

-,
II tho State Of Illinois, there is certain
village Boosting IL tavern, three stores aad
four groceries, where, FROM morningstill night
and from night till dawa, person entering
the town may fnd in the tavern, stores, and
groceries aforesaid one er more groups Of
persons playing cards-gembling Is there re-
duced 20 science---the history Of the kings
is thoroughly studied, and from the school
boy to the veteran FROM the miss in her
teens to the mother of large family, they are
all initiated into the mysteries Of high, low,
jack, gaass, right aud left bowers, the hoaors
and odd tricks. One of the best players in
the village was Major Smith, the tavern keep
er, or, as he expressed it.. the proprietor Of
the hotel-a widower, who, like
-Jethro. Judge of Isreal,
9si'f Had a daughter passing fair. ~ f'
Fannie, the daughter, was one Of the pref
test girls 10 the village The sweetheart of
Fannie was young farmer residing in the
neighborhcod, whom we shall designate by
the name OF Bob asa tss iAS 9T ESQ
It happened that one day before harvest,
the young man was detained in the. village,
and night found kim as usual at the hotel,
seated between the major and his daughter.
After desultory conversation between the
two gentlemen on the state of the weather,
the prospects of the approaching harvest, and
important staples of conversation, the major
asked Bob how his wheat promised to yield
In reply he was told that the young farmer
expected at least five hundred bushels. Is
The major appeared to study for mo-
ment, then abruptly proposed game Of cold
sledge," or ''seven-up," the stake to be his
daughter Fannie against the crop of wheat
This, Of course, the young man indignant
ly refused, because he could not bear the IDEA
that the hand Of her he loved should be made
the subject Of bet, or that he should win a
wife by gambling for her; and perhaps he
knew that the old man was hard to beat, and
that there was strong probability of losing
both wheat and wife.
1t was not until the major, with his usual
obstinacy, had sworn that unless he WOE her
he should never have her, that the young
man was forced reluctantly to consent to
play.
The table was placed, candles lit, the cards
produced, and the players took their places,
with Fannie between them, watching the
game. The cards wasa regularly cut, and it
fell to the majors lot to deal. The FIRST hand
was played, and Bob made jack to his oppo-
nent's high, low, game. Bob dealt, the major
again made three to his opponents one.
"Six to two" said Miss Fannie with q
sigh. H
The major, as he dealt the cards. winked
knowingly, and said
sT,rn ynoI fnr +ho xuhaat Moetar Rob ~
The old man turned up a trump. 1t was
a spade. Fannie, glanced at her fathers
hand her heart sank be held the tray,
eight spot, and king. She then looked at
Roberts hand, and 10, he had the ace, queen,
duce, and jack or knave. She whispered to
Bob to beg-he did so. !,
"Take it" said the major.
Robert led the duce, which the old man
took with his thrae-spot; he thea followed by
playing the king Bob putting his queen upon
it; the major supposing it to be tie young
mans last trump, leaned over the table, and
tapping the last trick with his finger, said:
''That's as good as wheat"
els it 2" asked Bob, as he displayed to the
antopished major the ace and jack in his
hands.
"High, low, jack, gift and game shouted
Bob.
"Out" circulated Fannie.
Good as wheat!' added Bob, as he flung
his arms about her neck and kissed her.
In due time they were married, and ever
| after that, when anything occurred Of pleas
ant nature to the happy couple, they would
express their emphatic appreciation OF it by
the phrase Good as wheat"