The Van Buren press., 1878-03-26
The Victim of a Confidence Game.

lie was man with triangular smile,
cold steel-eray eye, and face rs
clean shaven as u priest. He sat down
at the end of the dinner table. tucked n
napkin under his chin, smiled patroniz
ingly at the howing waiter. and said.
Bring me good tony dinner, Thorn
as, No soup tot ay-thanks."
Yec, saa.'
PLENTY of substantials--turkey, Sec
ona joint. remember"
Yes, sah'
with dish Of cranberry sauce
Yes, sah,e
"Sec that the vegetables are all
warm"
And Thomas" calling him back
"the roast beef must be rare and fat
don't forget y
| Yes, sall--yes, sab"
Then he stroked his face with the air
Of man on the best OF terms with him.
self, dipped lump of sugar into his
glass Of water and crushed it in his mouth,
dropped baek INTO graceful altitude, and
occupied himself in watching the other
guests until the waiter returned with his
dinner he.ped upon tray.
Thomas" lie said, as the waiter
ranged the dishes in semicircle before
him, you must do better If you expect
me to remen Der you, as I'm in the habit
OF doing. The last time was here--the
day Senator Mathews was with me--you
brought MS dinner good enough for a
king But this is shabby. Thomas
very shabby, after the way I've always
looked after you--' tapping his breast
pocket significantly. "The baked oys-
ters on the half shell are missing, Thomas
| don't see any lobster salad or wine
Jelly. You must use better taste, or
shall have to wade through the bill oi
fare myself, Thomas, and l have such q
headache don't like to do it. This beef
seems cooked to a crisp, and looks as
tough as finance. Take it all away
Thomas, and try again. See ifyou eau
do justice to your reputation Remem
Der | am i'll. Thomas. and don't he spar
ing of the dainles You know my weak
ness--touch the palate in the right spot
and it's the same as putting your hand il
my pocket with a wink that opened tn,
darky's face from ear to ear.
"Yes, sah--yes, sab. Git it right dis
time. Gin'l. See dc mistake y,
TO- Gov'nch Williams, beg pardon, sab
beg pardon. didn't see ye fab in de face
We all gifts fused sometimes, SO many
gemmen comm"
. And the waiter, with many apologies
lavisned his best bows upon the self as
sertive stranger as he gathered up tb,
dishes with great alacrity In few
moments he returned with the choices
viands the house afforded, and this tim
met with such unmistaksbie evidence Q
) approval that he stepped over to broth
er. waiter aud informed him in an exult
ant whisper that he had jsst foddered
: member of the Cabinet with the best 0
satisfaction and would get a five dolla
fee sure The other offered him u dola
tor his chance, and lost his friendship tina
moment
Thomas
q Yes. sah."
, The waiter was DO wing at his side i
an instant. and received the order TO
; dessert, which he proceeded to execut
r with the utmost dispatch, not forgettin
. to include good display of rare delica
cias, "a his wn voluntary tribute I,
4 greatness.
b With folded arms he took his postio
$ behind the chair Of the stranger An
8 waited impatiently for the moment whe
d he should see something glitter AS il wa
g slyly slipped under the edge of the plat
, for he felt that member of the Cab
e net could not consistently swerve froi
v the gold standard.
e "Thomas."
| "Yes, sah.''
o "These figs have been exposed to III
d air for some time ~
- " Yes, sah.'
e Bring me some from fresh DO.
n please. My stomach is very delicate t,
3 day"
y The eye Of the stranger watched Il
n retreating form of the sable child {
a. hope II til it passed through the doc
r and then the man arose and hastily lie
- the room Gentle reader, would yo
1t know who it was that SO basely abused Il
,e confidence of the susceptible son Of ham
You shall--it was Chicago drummer