The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-10-19
BUDGET OF FUN.
A WICKED OLD GENTLEMAN.
How He Sang BASS and Basely Took IN the
lfOys.

How He Sang lass and BaseIy Took IN the
Boys.
Nice old gentleman he was big white waist
coat, low-cut shoes bald head and silver bowed
spcctaclcs. He led in the singing on Sunday
evening IN the hotel parlor and sang that old.
fashioned bass in Coronation" and "China
in that sOnorous up-anddown style which coun-
try chorlsters used to practice in accompany
Ing the big fiddle, and withal had the bland,
benevolent look of good old up-country dea'
con.
He was "looking round the house" next ana
stepped in where some of the boys were play
ing cards-somethlng where they We're TALK
ing of calls" and raising and seeing The
bows looked little disconnected, but the old
man didn't say anything till the hand was
played out, and one of the party under the pre-
tense of having an engagement, winked at the
Others and said he must go, intending to break
up until the old man had gone and then re-
sumo the game But he had scarce turned his
back when the aged visitor remarked
II wonder he didn't raise We with the hand
he held"
"Do you understand the game| asked one
of the party, taking cigar from his mouth.
"Wall, Il leetle I've seen 'em playn' ON IT,
an sometimes thort that I'd like to take
hand 'jes for fun"
"Just So" said another; suppose you try a
game or two with U.S."
avail don't mind, jes' for the fun err the
thing" So the old man sat down and with a
good deal of instruction managed to get through
with the game and won on the penny ante
Thar" said he, 'if that Teller that's gone had
been spunky and put in 80 he'd get 1t instead
of these eight cents, wouldn't hey'
"Why certainly" said one of the young men,
certainly; it's your deal, uncle; now why
don't vnu ro in for n 81 ante ~ D.
avail" said the old fellow, throwing around
the cards, III dunno but will, but haint get
nothin' but $40 that drew outcn the bank
to come here with
"Well, uncle" said the other, gathering up
and glanclng at his cards, III go you twenty
and you can put it in the missionary box when
you win it, if you like"
"Sho. so ken" said the old man. Il don't
think twill be gambling eff that's the case"
"Not at ALL" said the other winking to his
companions,
'erc other tifty-but | sp0se you'll think Pm
dom it to skeer ye-but our denomination is
tarnal poor, and II big contribution is jest what
they're hankerin' arter.'
ooh, no; | cover your fifty, uncle, we ought
to be liberal, you know" and so the game
went on till finally the old man remarked,
wall, I'd no idee | had this ere roll of bills
in my pocket-so you call, do ye?-$5OO up
yes, you hev got the three pcters-three queens
and jack! Well IT'S kinder queer | got
t'other queen-haw! haw! haw"
"Yes, Pm sorry for you, but what are your
other cards." said the young man triumph
antly.
"Wcl, three on em is kings-why darn it
all that ere pot a. money is mine, young tei-
larr' said he stretching out powerful paw
and sqeezing the bills out of the young man,
who had already begun to roll them up
"P'raps, mister, you'd like to take your hand
again" said he to the other who had returned
in the meantime "they are goin' to sing some
sam tunes up stairs before goin to bed and
promised I'd jine EN-"
There WAS blank look of amazement in
that circle rs ho left, and the thought forced
itself into more than one mind of the danger
of trusting to appearances-Boston Bulletin.