Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-09-05
A Wicked old Gentleman.

mice old gentleman he was," says the
Boston BulLetia, "big white waistcOat,
low cut shoes, bald head and silver
bowed spectacles. He led in the sing
ing on Sunday evening in the hotel par
lor, and sang that old fashioned bass in
Coronation and China in that sonor-
GUS up and down style which country
choristers used to practice in accompa-
nying the big fiddle, and withal had the
bland benevolent look Of good old up
country deacon.
"He was looking round the house
next night, and stepped in where some
Of the boys were PLAYING cards-some-
thing where they we've talking of calls
and raises and seeing The boys
looked little disconnected, but the old
man didn't say anything till the hand
was played out, and one of the party
under the pretense of having an en-
gagement winked to the others and said
he must 60, intending to break up till
the old man had gone away and then
resume the game. But he had scarce
turned his back when the aged visitor
remarked:
at wonder he didn't raise ye with the
hand he held
"Do you understand the gamer
asked one Of the party, taking a cigar
from his mouth.
"'Wall, a little; Pve seen 'em playin'
on it, an sometimes thort Id like to take
a hand, jes' for fun"
Just so" said another; suppose you
try game or two with u.s.
"Wall, don't mind, jes' for the fun el
the thing" And 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 fellow that's gone had
been spunky and put in S., he'd got it
instead of these eight cents, wouldn't
he"
"Why. certainly" said one of the
young men, certainly; it's your deal.
uncle; now why don't you 60 in for S.
ante"
iWan," said the old fellow, throwing
round the cards, dunno but I will, but
hain't got nothin' but a $40 bill that I
drew Outen the bank to come here
with
"Well, uncle" said the other, gather
ing up and glancing at his cards, Pll go
yer twenty, and you can put it in the
missionary box when you win it if you
like
"ShoI SO 1 ken," said the old man; I
don't think 'twud be gamblin' at all eff
that's the ease.'
''Not at all" said the other, winking
to his companions.
"Well, then, don't care eff 1 go yer |
this ERE other fifty-but s'pose you'll |
think Pm doiR' on it to skear ye-but |
our denominations tarnal poor, and a |
big contribution is Jest what they're |
hankerin' arter.'
"0h, 10; I cover your fifty, unclsS we |
we ought to be liberal, you know" and |
so the game went on till finally the old |
man remarked, Wall, I'd no idee I had |
this ere roll O. bills in my pocket-so
you call, do ye $500 up !-yes, you /
hev got the three pictures-three queens |
and jack! Well, It's kinder queer I
got tother queen-haw haw! hawP
eyes, Pm sorry for you, but what are
your other cards ?" said the young man
triumphantly.
"Well three on 'em ez kings-why, |
darn it all, that pot o. money is mine,
young fellerp said he stretching out
powerful paw and squeezing the bills
from the young man, who had already
begun to roll them up. 'Praps, mister,
you'd like to take your hand again. said
he to the other, who, had returned
meantime; they are goin' to sing some
sam tunes up stairs before going to bed,
and promised dime 'em.'
There was blank look of amazement
in that circle as he left, and the thought
forced itself into more than one mind
Of the danger Of trusting to appearances.