The Van Buren press., 1875-02-23
The Countrymen and the Roper
~ y q q T -

are all the folks at Pontiac p said a po
lite, well-dressed young man to a Gran
ger 10 oising person of middle aye.
Wal, | Kinder guess you've got hol1
o the wrong man; my name ain Simp
son. and amt from Pontiac, Ny name
is George. W Baxter, and l hail from
Milford, close to Rockford, lllinoy.'
oh, beg gpardon, | thought YOU Mr.
Simpson, friend of mine from Pontiac.
You look exactly like him. Please ex-
cuse me p
h"Ail right, sir" And the bucholic
gentleman walked up the steps of the Ga
lena depot, and nayigated bridgewards
with a. little son by his side He had
gone but few steps when another wei
dressed, priin looking young man came
alongside Of him, and tapping him ia
miliarly on the shoulder, said; " How do
YOU do, Mr. Baxter? When did you
come up from Milford "
"Wal, / reckon you got the start o
me, young feller"
"Oh, | guess not. didn't know
you only by sight out there. | always
like to sec folks from the old town.
How's your farmf Crops good last
year y
"Oh, yes; all 0. X. Ireckn. nev.
er was in this town, afore, and ! just
thought I'd bring the boy down and sell
small drove ofcattle and see the city.
I've heern SO much about Sheecago that
felt like seein' it,"
Just in time; | haven't anything to
do, to-day, but kill time, aud If you II 60
with me viii show you all the sights,
Or, il you like, and want company, I'll
30 anywhere you say
The bland and innocent young man
took the farmers arm, and walked over
the river with him.
1t occupied about ten minutes to get
himself established in the Granger's con.
iidence, and then they were the best OF
friends. Rusticus expressed himself
thankful for the happy chance which had
thrown him in the way ofso good com
panion--" right from the old town, too.
What might be your pame %
Oh, my name? Thompson, if you
please.
BE you a relation OF Elijah Thomp-
son, in our township"
Yes, a second cousin
Wal, | do declare, if this moetn'
amt lucky one Take suthin p
Don't mind, seeing you are from the
old town, but don't often drink"
The twain repaired to saloon on
Fifth Avenue, and smiled twice or thrice
Well where do you want to go
next?" said Thompson.
"Oh, don't care You ics 90 head,
where you think best" said the Gran
ger.
Have You ever been In a lottery Of.
fec ?"
mo; and by gol, if wouldn't like
to. I've hearn Of 'em, but | never saw
one
1--we got ticket here f,r the Royal
Havana Lottery, and they are to have 4
drawing this very day. Come, Wen 60
overn
And the pair locked arms and event
oyer"-to buHko room on Clark street,
where the nice young man presented his
ticket to polite " clerk"
mo. 1l,70S you've drawn a prize Of
$500 in gold" said the clerk to the
holder Of the ticket.
Baxter opened his eyes when $500
were actually counted out in glittering
pieces of pure, yellow metal
There is to be n special drawing at
once; wouldn't your friend like to take
chance 7"
perhaps he would What do you
say, Baxter p
"Oh, yes, certainly. Here is SIS, all
have in change"
The bunko chart was produced the
Granger threw the dice, and drew--noth.
ng.
Try your hand, again; you'll get
all back said the clerk.
But amt only got note for $3.50
60; and just enough to get me back to
Milford"
"Why, put down the note, that's good
enough; Wen take it,
They did take it; and left the poor, sill
ly farmer to go and look for police of
fcer He fell in with Detective Dennis
Simmons, and by tho advice Of that of
iccr, stepped the payment Of the note
by a telegram to Rockford, which was
sent last evening, He then endeavored
to find the bunko room, but could not.
He went home, last night with S3 in his
pocket, wiser man Chicago Tribnde,