Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-23

JUL Wlub 10 you shy
"Say. Why. It's pretty long way round
but I'm desperate. III try H."
The Monday morning following was clear
and balmy. Mr.. Tom Mansfield PAGES the
depot platform, dressed 10 perfect taste and
with marks Of refinement, a neat travelling
valise in his hand. Besides the other pas
scbgers who are waiting Tom sees father
in.aw who is walking with gentleman
When the train got in, Tom, with rarer
good sense than most passengers who are
in hurry to get aboard a train display,
stood on the other. side Of the car steps
from those leading 10 the depot platform,
and, Of course, in moment after the train
stopped he had card table all to himself.
This seat engaged, sir 2"
eyes; for a card party"
Anybody sitting here3'
mo, not now but there will be some
gentlemen in moment or two," and SO he
keeps the seat until the rain starts. Just
as Fred predicted, the smoking car door
opened as the train crossed Asylum street,
and father-in-aw came 10.
"Nows for dignity" thought Tom, as the
old gentleman came straight to him, and
after cycling him moment said. Friends
sitting here2"
mo sir, no." aud if Fred could have
seen the dignity with which it was said.
Tom was very courteous with Just that
tinge Of indifference which makes courtesy
seem Unborn.
They road along in silence awhile, but at
length the old gentleman inquired, ADO you
play euchre, sir2"
oh, at times, SIR"
"Can we get up gamer"
Likely, sir. Shall [ see," and Tom
stalked down through the car, asking all the
respectable looking gentlemen if they played.
lie returned with two.
shall you and play partners, sir" he
asked his father-in.law.
here. Cut for deal, please. Slaps and jams !;
double games and .the joker. Regular rail.
road game, prefer gentlemen"
ale must be a little soft on euchre,"
thought Tom, "but must be dignihed. |
mustn't forget myself. Let's see cigars in
half an hour, take the rubber as we get
into New York; those are my sailing or
ders."
"Luck was with him. Fortune or the
cards favored him highly, and the pencil on
his side Of the blinds-the approved way Of
keeping score-went away up among the
highest stats. With Tom a curious psy.
Geological operation was taking place, how
ever, during the entire trip Ills mind was
occupied with three things. lie was, first
of.all, studying to be dignited, and il was
terribly hard work at certain exciting
stages Of the game for him to keep back his
usual hilarity then he was shrewd enough
to know that nothing disgusts an old euchre
player more than a miss.play; but beyond
all he found himself more and more amazed
at his future father-in-law. However much
the old gentleman might have admired dig.
nifty in Others he was himself the jolliest,
freest and mos. laxative ofthe party.
partner" he would say, "let mo see how
your best card looks" and then after ar
ranging the bower or jack that Tom in-
variably handed him, with his own cards, he
would turn to his antagonist and say raising
card high in the air
"Now I'm going for you play to that,
and that, and that, and that, and that Set
us down two more games, partner. We are
walking right through you, gentlemen -
and SO kept it up.
Tom, meanwhile. remarked when it was
his time for calling. "Your best card if
you please sir ;" and he took the tricks
quietly, without so much as a smile, and
put the pencil up two stats. .sa
When they reached New York Mr.. Will
liams was a contented man, and Tom saw
it ; but he felt that he had really made nc
Roadway. SO he said just as the train was
rolling into the depot.
"Yes."
"Wel, am, aud trust it will be my
good fortune to go back on the same train
that you do. | really enjoyed the game"
"You did? Well didn't think 50. |
thought you were bored"
Toms heart sank, but he managed to re-
ply, "Why SO 2"
80, don't know You played well, but
you've hardly said word since we started >
This was the result of his attempt at dig.
nifty, was it? Beaten in his FIRST attempt
He thought he had better 60 back by the
next train but then he determined to try
once more with the old gentleman on the
way home.
The trip back the following day was sim.
liar to that down with the single exception
that Toms side did not take so many games
One of the party, too, got off at Meriden
and the set could not be filled again. Ton
felt thankful for this.
81 shall be glad to get back" he ven
tured
| "Yes, so shall |" and then looking sharp.
y at Tom moment, he added, "you say
you're Hartford mani"
Yes sir
ain business"
YES. I'm with Mcssrs. -"
THAT is good house. I've known both
partners long time. How long have you
been thereP"
"About four years, SIR"
81 thought your face was familiar. I've
seen you before"
every likely sir"
Tom thought he was making Roadway
and he handed his future father.in.aw hi
card.
"Glad to have met you, Mr.. Mansfield
l hope We may have another trip som
day.
At the depot Fred was waiting, and h
hurried Tom of without giving him
chance to say what the success OF the tril
had been.
81 say, old boy" he began you've got
chance to meet the fair Kate tonight
There's going to be a strawberry festival
and she is to DO there. It's one of thes
church things, you know. Wen go an,
trust to luck. How did you get on with tn
old gent ?"
Tom told him, and Fred tholght tina
matters were progressing iavOrably. "But,
he said "you'll have to change your tactic
with the girl. She's the joliest girl in tn
town they tell me. Play dignity to th
father, and fun to the girl"
This was getting deeper and deeper int