, 1877-03-03
STATE PRIDE.
A Story Made mp OF Two knaves and
an ASS.

A man who had evidently never before
met apy of the business agents of Canada
Bill " related 20 &c Times reporter, with
great accuracy of detail, on account OF the
clever operations of slick brace of knights of
the road, of which he was witness. 1t is
the old story, with slight variations, but as
long as victims are so plenty there will be
readers. When q southern bound train was
within 80 miles of Cairo, a large. fne-lOoking
man boarded it, entered the sleeping car,
took seat in a comfortable way and presently
passed the cigars among his chance neighbors.
Conversation followed, during which the
liberal cuss stated that he was u Southern
planter, and had lost $500, 900, exclusive of
negroes, by the war A gentleman from
Main, going South 10 buy a plantation, was
one of the smokers. Planter took lively
intesest in him, and told him he had three
plantations for sale, and would let him have
one for mere song, as he could not rely on
hired men. About this time a grey haired
and shabbily-dressed man entered. He pre-
tended to be cattle dealer from Texas, who
had just sold 800 head of cattle in St. Louis.
He hated the Yankee out this way, and said
that they had paid him in those old green.
backs -" Grant money!" as people called
them. He had spent $500 in ST. Louis, but
be didn't care so much about that as $500 he
was chiseled out of in saloon. Planter asked
if i: was stolen. No; Texas man was teo
smart for that, he said, at the same time ex-
hibiting a big roll of bills. Planter was
anxious to know how the money was lost.
At last Texas reluctantly pulled out deck
of greasy cards remarking that he had g.
his money on those identical papers, and that
he had been trying to learn the trick himself
eyer since, but couldn't make any headwsy.
If he could only do it as slick as the fellow
who took him in he could make fortune
when lie got home. Planter remarked that
be had often heard of the game, and thought
it took an expert to &c it. Meanwhile, Texas
continued his clumsy practice. At length
the planter turned to the gentleman of Maine
and told him he had notion OF beating
Texas out Of few hundred dollars and then
give it back to him after they had had
little fun out of him. The old man from
Texas said that be didn't believe any id
Yankee coald raise 500. Maine was nettled
and said he could name the picture card
with boy on it for 50. Texas told him he
had better save that to buy cheese and
crackers if that was the size of his pile.
Maine was riled, and offered to bet $40.
Planter became indignant at Texas because
he had insulted his friend from Maine, and
offered to bet him 500 that he could pick
up the ticket with the 10y on 1t the first
time. Texas took the bet and lost. The by
ISLANDERS laughed at him, and planter banter
ed him for another 800 and, of course, won
again. Maine WAS by this time well in the
tolls Texas appeared to be discoutented at
his losses and, remarked to Maine that Z" his
brother the planter eyesight was too good
for him, but he would wager $50 that he
Maine) could not light upon the boy the first
time. Planter told Maine to take 500 out
of the conceited fellow, just for luck and to
teach him lesson. Planter was to hold the
stakes. Maine concluded to do it. Texas
wouldn't handle those ''keerd " for less than
q $1,000 Painter advised Maine TO come. as
there was no chance for him to lose. Maine
agreed Planter saw 800 more IN Names
wallet and advised him to shove up that also,
as it would be his last chance to get a bet out
of Texas Up went $1,000 over the card but
not the one with the boy on it. Planter ap-
peared deeply grieved, but he handed the
money to Texas all the sarIe. Texas laugh
ed a little, and smoGthed their wounded feel
ings by telling them that he had black bot
lie in the rear coach and would 90 back and
get il. Planter told Maine be was too hasty
he ought to have won But, said he, q if
you buy one of my plantations | viii see thet
you have plenty of provisions to feed your
piggers, as l have just been to Louisville
with 300 hogsheads of sugar, and have laid
il more pork and Hour than I need, and Will
gladly share it with you"
Shortly afterwards the planter and the
man from Texas slipped off the train. The
former was George Duvsl, formerly of New
Orleans, but now OF Chicago, and the gentle
man from Texas was an Old monte man
named Sandford Chicago Times.
Wun RrSrnnNEn RICIIMnND 2-This Is g