The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-12-19

amusements as an Oxford man who had
been reading hard for his degree might be
parloned for being. I did not stay for the
last piece, and got back to tho hotel about
half-past eleven. To while away half an
hour, strolled into a billiard-room near
pseudo military mar there playing with a
friend--a little Jew. They played reason
ably well and once or twice the Captain
(as he was called) made q winning hazard
that rather astonished me, had it not been
obviously the effects of luck more than of
skill. At the end of the game the jew
left, and the Captain, after one or two ex-
perimental strokes, in which he failed,
asked me if had any objection to game.
| accepted the invitation, being rather
proud of my play. Just as | had selected
my cue and chalked the end, the 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 from being insipid.
"One gets so dooced careless" he said,
off one doesn't play forsomething. Mosy,
be kind enough to touch the bell must
have some brandy hot that internal cham
pagne we had at Greenwich has, declare,
made me feel quite queer"
The waiter came and after gulp of the
brandy, the Captain said he felt more him
SELF and made one or two very fair strokes;
than he fell off again, and missed twice.
Fred, you're no good tonight; not a
bit of good" said the Jew. 81 shall put
my money on this gentleman, for he plays
a good steady game"
81 made three very good strokes in sue
cession encouraged by this praise, lass that
| was y and every time I scored, the little
Jew rolled back in his seat, and exclaimed
with unction.-"S Stroke indeed ~
AS turned round to chalk my cue and
take the red ball out of the left-hand top
pocket, into which 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 l 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 it squeaked with pain; "but I'm al
ways happy-go-lucky. Come, III have
another CO."
Touch the bell marker thank you.-
Excuse me moment, sir; must go 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 a
very serious and earnest expression on his
face,
"You may think me intrusive" he said,
"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
accOmpice. The rascal has let you win
the first game he'll now propose higher
stakes, and win. They've gone out now to
get something to make it go into your head
faster before the betting begins. Ihave no
motive, you must see, but the interest feel
for young man unacquainted with Lon
don tricks. Hush here they come"
just at that moment the brandy and the
two thieves came in. observed the Jew
instantly go towards the smoking glasses
and stir one of them round, as he turned
his back TO me.
The captain pulled off his coat, turned
up his right shirt-cuff, and spotted the
red ball with his usually gay nonchalance.
"You begin, he said.
"Thank you," said !, putting on my
coat, 81 don't think shall play any more
tonight"
Not play not play? why, you engaged
with me, " he said, looking round the room
in SURPRISE half in suspicion, half in anger
"May I ask, sir, what has produced this
sudden change of intention?''
Marker" said |, L" You may take that
brandy and water--I have had enough I'm
afraid you'll find it rather strong"
so, ! see" said the Captain, unmasking
at once and advancing threateningly tow
ards the Vicar, who was watching him like
hawk "rbis fellow here whoever he
may be, has been good enough to Islander
me and my friend while my back was
turned. And pray, sir, who are you 9''
AS he said this he walked up to the Vicar,
fionrishing the butt end of his cue mena.
cingly. :" don't know your name," he