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

like lag once knew in Australia as two
peas You remember gentlemen Jack,
Mosy?"
"Of course do, and s'elp me, but he's
the very image of him." iabbored the jew.
"You were, then, presume; in the
same chain-gang," said the Vicar, as he rose
and clenched his fist, "Pll bear the inso-
lence no longer. You are both notorious
billiard-sharpers the marker 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 waiter for a
constable, and give you in charge. Now
| you be off. / won't take the trouble to
knock down this sham Captain for his inso-
lence--a feather would do that. Go, both
of you; I'll not let my friend here be rob-
bed by two such pitiful thieves"
The Captain was potroon. | saw that
he could have stabbed the Vicar on the
spot. His color came and went He had
once resolved on rush then fear seized
him, as he saw his adversary standing like
a marble statue--a phalanx in himself.
Muttering and cursing, the two rascals
skunk away like Satan from the spear of
the archangel.
I" Perfect strangers to me, | assure you,
gents, " said the marker; "never seed 'em
afore in my life"
"You don't take your brandy" said l.
"Don't seem to care for any more, thank
you, sir. You pay for the table, sir?"
{" lie doesn't deserve it, but still pay"
said the Vicar. So paid.
"The police shall know how these rooms
are conducted, depend upon it, he said
to the marker as we left "you might as
well garrote a man at once. What city ~
he said to me as we turned to the hotel,
and thanked him for his good advice.
"What whirlpool of goddess niquity !
Adulterated bread-adulterate wine
adulterated beer-adulterated medicines
the very adulterating ingredients them
selves adulterated At every foot one
walks snare in every street pitfall ;
virtue only disguised, and vice itself
as like virtue as if she was her twin-sister :
sham everything When will the fire de-
scend upon it? when will the fire de-
scend ?"
In the coffee-room, where we sat talking
for half an hour, l expressed my surprise
at the Wears entering public billiard
room.
" You do not know me-" he said 81
am like Paley | am never afraid of hum
bugs. like to see the DEVILS schemes,
that may counteract them. We Church
of England men know too little of the
world that is why the Belials and the
Asmodei of cities cheat and fool us so often
and outrageously. make point, when
! visit the metropolis, of occasionally going
to such places Another night you might
have met me at Cremorne, or at the equally
dangerous Alhambra. 1t is my duty, sir,
and however unpleasant, / go everywhere
to see sin and folly at their tlood-tde.
You will at least admit that my experience
: of rascalty has been useful to you to-night?"
sc / owe you thousand thanks" said.
81 had heard of billiard-sharpers, but had
never met any before"
81 think I'll wish you goodnight now, 4"
he said, "as l am accustomed to early
country hours, and begin to feel what
the children call the sandman busy at
my eyes Tomorrow, then, at 7.15, we
meet. Goodnight"
So wished the Vicar goodnight, and
we parted. was out nearly all day, max
ing calls and transacting business. | got
back to the hotel about half-past six, Or
dered down my luggage, and asked at the
bar if the Rev. Mr. Atkins was gone
The porter said he was on the platform
waiting fol me. lie had just paid his bill
and taken his luggage forward.
] took my ticket but did not see him.
| got my luggage labeled Exeter; still he
did not appear but when the guard open
ed the door of first-class carriage for me,
/ found a plaid and some books on the op-
poste seat.
"There's gentleman sir, clergyman
taken that seat. He's bedh looking for q
friend. | suppose that's you, sir. If he
don't look sharp, he'll miss the train"
The guard had already come for the tick
ets The sharp cry, "Take your seats p
had just gone forth, when the Vicar took
his place, laughing, opposite me- hard
ly knew him at first, for he wore large
dark great-coat, and had on a travelling cap
drawn down over his eyes and with
flaps over his ears. He had roll of pa
pers and two magazines in his hand.
"How / hate this fuss and fury 70 he