The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1872-05-24
A "PigeOn,n With TalOns.
From the San Francisco Chronicle

tne sun FGh8Cle"O CuTOUlCie
1t very seldo m happens that we hear Of a
who,ough bred sport" being taken 10 and
done for, but such things have happened Ms
was illustrated on recent afternoon in the
Lick House billiard rooms, where several OF
the fraternity were beaten ut their own
game in the most scientific manner. During
the afternoon number of unemployed
sports were amusing themselves ut n little
game OF pool, while, they kept mn eye open
Tor any stray flats that might be lowering
around. While the game was its height an
individual entered the room, who was ut
once singled out as ''pigeon" that might
be picked with iDpnnity. As the game
was open for all, the stranger was induced
to try his luck, and "put,iug" up half do.
lar for the pool, be picked up cue, dis
play ing, as he did so, sundry patches and
not few tatters. He gazsd at the specta-
tors through pair of iron bound spectacles,
aud presented altogether the appearance of n
genuine "hoosier,' as the "tborough breds'
call this class of the community. The pins
and balls were set, and the game commence
ed. The first shot of the new conner dis
placed the one pin, and when lis turn came
round again, all the pins flew in every di'
rection, whereupon be tapped the cloth 10
indicate that sixteen was pool, and the
rame-keeper corroborated by calling out the
fifteen ball.
The first pool had been won by scratch.
the outsiders said; but when the ragamufln
won the second pool he was called pretty
fair player-in fact, he handled the che
with considerable ability. He "gOt away"
with the third pool, and consternation was
depicted upon the iace Of oil. From
scratch player be had become in the eyes Of
the assembled .'sharps' a era ok pool play
er, and beating him was out Of the question.
Another game ives played. which the in-
dividuul of the iron.bound specs also won;
and the astenised "pool-sbarpers' placed
their cues back on the rack with the mutier-
ed ejacula'ed OF ''sport in Disguise. or the
devil" The sport. or devil, preserved an
unmoved phiz throughout, and not even
smiled, when the crowd appauded his
skilfu! playing. Just as the players were
replacing their cues well known frequent.
er of the Lick House billiard rooms enter
ed, and, not being converslnt with the
state Of things, agreed to play the stranger;
but he was compelled to give it up in dis
gnst, for his opponent won every pool and
most oi his money. Several others who
loungtd in about this time met with the
same fate, when Oscar Lewis, the proprietor
of ibs establishm 1t, hearing the continued
uproar. approached and was instantly rec
ognized by the successful player, who spoke
to him. A moments scrutiny by Mr.. Lew
is caused him to exclaim, 'Why Jack, how
are you? Are you learning tho boys few
tricks at pool?" AS soon as tie man had
departed Mr.. Lewis YVES in,errogated In res
gard to him, aud informed the assembled
crowd that he was Jack Bartlett, Il sppr,
who flourishes during the Winter at 40 and
| Spring Of '50'-an old hand at the various
games with which these embryo sharp.rs
were somewhat familiar. Having made a
"pile" be bad bought farm in Solanto
County, aud retired from the "proftssion.' y
He was probably upon his travels at pres
cut, and ben he played it was simply a
recreation. "D-d expensive recreation for
U.S." muttered disguised sharp as he turn
ed away and wandered in fnarch of other
"pigeons" whose claws might not prove
eagles taloas
| tn OF In f,vo ~