The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-26
Nine Aoos.

| Ii was ali easy gong game. Among
Their Victims was a sanctimonous- looking
Is iptist preacher, who was u great reYivalist
and pale-faced editor who was slashipg
| writer of leaders and wore the air of inof-
tensive harmlcssncss. Both had been robbed
OF gold watches by clever sharpcrs, besides
all the loose change they carried about
their person, on the four acc trick. OF
course, the respective vocatlons and the
joint mlsfortunes Of these victims gave
them fellow-f feeling. They talked the
matter over consclcntiously. Says the edi.
tor:
III say, parson, these fellows have got
us, but If you will cooperate and stand by
me ill invent way to get even."
"l'll do anything short Of down right
murder to get ahead of the d--d rascals. "
returned the parson.
'Oh, don't swear-that's against the
Decalogue. But get you lively Colts re-.
pcatcr Tor emergencies you know Watch
these fellows where they get off. They'll
be sure to stop before we get to New Or
leans and to board the next up train ready
for fresh victims. Meantime when we ret
to New Orleans I'll put on wig, and YOU
can draw line down on each check TO
make you look little more ike father Ga
Drlel than you do, and we'll come back Oh
the next train"
"All right Hore's my hand Don't clear
~ understand The programme, but Pm with
you," Empha.ically answered the par
son.
sure, enough, the gamblers got off at the
s'atlon below Amite City, The editor and
Ihe parson made note of the acbarkation.
lhey had several hours in the city for the
transaction of their business, and Tor ncces-
sary preparation for the return trip, The
eoltor put on wig of different color
lrom his hair, bought a farmers SUIT of
clothes and Quaker hat. The preacher
maze himself 70 years older, and donned a
tull Episcopalian outfit. 1t would have
been difficult for lifetime acuuaintance To
have recognized either.
On the return they took position in scpa.
rate cars, the parsop watching OH the right
OF stations, the editor the left. as expect
ed, the brace of worthless boarded the train
at the place where they uebarked on the
down trip. 1t wasn't long before they
opened their little game. The parson was
III front, the editor behind them. Bo,h the
latter appeared to Jake keen interest in
the cards.
"Wlll you join the game 2" from Shar
per No, TO the editor.
'.Ihank you, sir, never indulge except
Ior innocent recreation"
"oh.we are only playing for amusement
Just to shorten the distances. Take seat
III that's the case, !" responded our edI-
TOR, L would as soon take hand as not
Gan we find another gentleman who
Will join ut to make up four handed
games" From Sharper No. 9.
This inquiry apparently arrested the par.
sons attention, and 1t didn't need the eui-.
AS befere the game dwlnuied down to
draw Poker, and, as before, four Jacks, four
Kings ETC., were dealt by Sharper No. |.
The betting got lively. The Parson with
his four Kings was reluctantly driven out
because he was not able to count up the
$500 which was the last raise of Sharper
No. 2. The EDITORS turn came.
l'll call you'll said he, as he counted out
six crisp hundred dollar bills,
All right" says Sharper No. 2, Tye
won the bet. Hero are four aces And
he undertook TO rake the pile down.
Hold onl' said the editor, Il can beat
that hand. Here are fUe aces, fortified
with freshly loaded slx-shooter. If any
man can beat that hand he can take the pot.
Whercupon the editor coolly pocketed tho
winnings.
Sir, you stole those aces, aud you are
cheat and robber, and ri have you IT.
rested exclaimed Sharper No g.
Softly returned the qui,l-drlvcr, IN his
sweetest tones, 'all's perfectly fair, assure
you. The deal was the essence of fairness,
you know, only your pard got hold of a
deck with nine aces in it. Let's have no
compliments. The editor put his finger
on the pistol trigger, and looked the dcs-
perado straight in the eye. We can get
along without an exchange Of compliments
Oh this OCCASION, and as for arrcsling any
body if you don't behave yourself IN have
you and your precious pal taken or at the
next depot, Jailed, tried and convicted as
swindlers, and sent TO the Penitentiary
can do it by trick Of the telegraph and |
will DO 1t. You won this morning, when
we played with you, and turn about Is tair
play. Ais fair you KNOWN war, love,
and poker. You and | never play any
other than far game.
"And you are the parties we played With
this morning"
"Yes. We arc the parties that you robb-
cd this morning, and you arc the parties
who fell this evening. But all's fair; and
l hope you are satisfied"
Here the editor handed over $3.50 to the
Parson, his share OF the winnings and tho
game ended.
--~~- i
Crazy WOman's Branch.