The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-09-11
AN EVEN BET.

slumberwell is the slightly old-fash-
ioned markettown Of one Of the west
ern shires Of merrie England"
II is a sleepy-looking place, except on
market days.
The "Boar's Head" is the best-and
nearly only-commercial house" in
Slumberwell.
"Now, then, gentlemen, pleased
times upr' shouts the landlord, putting
his head into the billiard-room at the
closing-time one night.
MAKE 1t an even bet, and I'll take
you, Waggersw exclaims Harry Doun-
ton, a young man of forward and lady
killing appearance.
Done! Put down your coin, Harry!
Ten pounds a side"
And Mr.. Waggers--another young
man, square built, shock-headed, small
eyed, and with boisterous, frolicsome
wsy-drew out handful of mixed gold
and silver coins, and counted out ten
sovereigns on to the green cloth.
GO it, Waggers! Hullo, Daunton,
you're in for 1T Down with your ten
'quidT" cried the little crowd of men
looking on.
Times up, please gentsp this time
from Perks, the pot boy, who seemed to
make an instantaneous and magic appear
ance among the party.
1t would have been a difficulty to
guess even at the age of Perks. Any
thing between ten and forty. His voice
was shrill as boys; his height Just four
feet eleven; face weazened and hairless;
head about two sizes too large for his
small body, and close-cropped; handy
legged and with long, muscular arms.
No one took the slightest notice of
Pcrkss admonition.
Hand the stakes to Wilkins; he'll
hold themw exclaimed several.
Harry Daunton produced bank note
from his pocket-book, and dropped it
among the gold. t--
whats it all aboutg' asked tall
man, with the most "refereeish" look
of the party, stepping forward, and
gathering up the money with a quite
used-to-it sort of way.
a chorus of explanations followed,
with which Perks's shrill "Time's up,
gentsp mingled to no purpose.
Zone at a time" expostulated Will
kins, the tall man. "Now, then, Wag-
gersp
"Well," commenced that individual,
Harry Daunton has Just bet me even
money-you hold the stakes-that to.
morrow-not being market-day, and
weather permitting-he will set off from
The door below at midday, and proceed.
ing on the left-hand side half q mile
down the street-th is to say, as far
down as Dowselrs pump kiss every
woman he meets on his own sidel Eh
Harryw
"That's itr' returned Mr.. Daunton
l.. n
10 see alPs squareT'
wilkins nodded, and made note il
the fy-leaf of his betting book.
Now, gets, times upp
simultaneously the lights went out
and the party followed, scampering ant
iostling.
Why did Mr.. Waggers rise next morn
ing with the worm that precedes th'
early bird, and make such an untimel,
visit to the Institute for Aged ant
Respectable Females" that was situated
opposite Dowsell's pump?
"Well, that's good 'unw calculate,
old Dame Scaremale, when he had gone
He says whoever'll have drop Of gin
toddy this cold day, with rusk to he'll
II down, let 'em come up to the Boar
Eltdu hDOub Twelve CLOCK. f1e
gentlemanl Pm onp'
Dame Scaremale was raw, bon
woman, past the prime of life, but wit
nails and muscles in good condition vel
and very virago for modesty. 1t
true she had married a man; but tn
report goes, he only survived il tw
months.
Outside of the front entrance to tn
Boar's Head"
Now, then, Daunton; it's twelve
said wilkins, returning his watch to b
pocket "There are deuced few peopl
in sight!"
All right" said Harry; "but yo
fellows-only Waggers and wilkins [
accompany, mindp
A murmur of assent came from the fe
who had gathered round to see the star
Where's PerksT' shouted Waggers.
Got half a days leave sir" said Il
landlord, coming forward.
Waggers drew him aside, and son
whispering took place.
"All right sir" nodded the landlor
when they had finished. "Pll see ths
has it as they comes in, sir, and put
down to your account"
Of they start, the unabashed Har
leading on the left hand side; Mess
Waggers and Wilkins followed ON h
other.
Harry was in luck. Looking down d
long street, there scarcely seemed
dozen folks in sight altogether.
First he met young shop girl, w
received bis salute with q blush and
stare; theb fresh-colored farmers wi
who declared " the young man must
mad; but, there! after all" then
aged, stout gentleman with his charmi
daughter, who sbrank from him in val
while her paternal relative could
nothing but snort, and vociferate emp
threats after the hence speeding rogu
then he surprised cook and housems
outside their front door, who only laugh
and asked for another, which they did
get; then 1t was girl of about fourte,
whom he kissed to make sure, spill
some OF the milk she CARR,
which he stayed to toss her q shilli
for; then q young man with his sic
corpulent mamma, who considered h
self insulted, while her son pulled
citedly at few straw hairs, (carefu
designated by their owner moustach
and fitted an eyeglass into his eye to
who IL was, turning afterwards to his
fronted parent, and remarking, We
stwsngep
Then he CHANGED upon a sour, an
lar-looking spinster, who had never b
kissed before in her life, and ratl
liked Il, but managed to get her OF
hand sharply on his ears neverthels