The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-03-12

been robbed of gold watches by thes,
clever highwaymen, besides all th,
loose change they carried about theil
persons, on the four ace trick. Ofcourse
the respective vocations and the join
misfortunes of these victims gave
them a fellow-feeling. They talked
the matter over conscientiously. Says
the editor:
~ say, parson, these fellows have
got US, but if you will cooperate and
stand by me I'll invent way to gel
even."
"I'll do anything short of down
right murder to get ahead of the
ID rascals," returned the parson
"Oh, don't swear-thats against
the Decalogue. But get you lively
Colts repeater for emergencies, you
)Gpow. W8tc6 Mese f,Dows W4elz
they get off. They'll be sure to stop
before we get to New Orleans and to
board the next up train, ready for
fresh victims. Meantime when we
get to New Orleans I'll put on wig,
and you can draw line down on each
cheek to make you look little more
like father Gabriel than you do, and
We'll come back on the next train"
"All right! Here's my hand. Don't
clearly understand the programme,
but Pm with you" Emphatically
answered the parson.
Sure, enough, the gamblers got off
at the station below Amite City. The
editor and the parson made a note of
the debarkation. They had several
hours in the city for the transaction of
of their business, and for necessary
preparation for the return trip. The
editor put on wig of a different color
from his hair, bought farmers suit
of clothes and Quaker hat. The
preacher made himself 25 years older,
and donned full Episcopalian outfit.
1t would have been difficult for life
time acquaintance to have recognized
either.
On the return they took position in
separate cars, the parson watching on
the right of stations, the editor the
left. AS expected, the brace of
worthless boarded the train at the
place where they debarked on the
down trip. 1t wasn't long before they
opened their little game. The parson
was in front, the editor behind them.
Both the latter appeared to take a
keen interest in the cards.
"Will you join the game ?" from
Sharper No. TO the editor.
"Thank you, sir, never indulge
except for innocent recreation"
"Oh, we are only playing for amuse-
ment, just to shorten the distance.
Take seat.n
"If that's the case" responded our
editor, 81 would as soon take a hand
as not"
"Can We find another gentleman
who will join us to make up four
handed game ?" From Sharper No. 2.
This enquiry apparently arrested
the parsons attention, and it didn't
need the editorial wink to draw
him in.
AS before the game dwindled down
to draw Poker, and, as before, four
Jacks, four Kings etc., were dealt by
Sharper No. l. The betting got lively.
The Parson with his four Kings was
reluctantly driven out because he
was not able to count up the 5000
which was the last raise of Sharper
No. 2. The editor's turn came.
"I'll call youW said he, as he
counted out six crisp hundred dollar
bills.
GAN right" says Sharper No. 2,
"I've won the bet. Here are four
aces" And he undertook to rake the
pile down.
"Hold on !" said the editor, al can
beat that hand. Here are five aces,
fortified with freshly loaded six
shooter. If any man can beat that
hand he can take the pot" Where
upon the editor ooolly pocketed the
winnings.
"Sir, you stole those aces, and you
are cb eat and a robber, and I'll have
you arrested" exclaimed Sharper
No. 2.
SOFTLY" returned the quill-driver,
in his sweetest tones, "alfs perfectly
fair, I assure you. The deal was
the essence of fairness, you know,
only your pard got hold of deck
with nine aces in it. Let's have
no compliments. 1.-THE editor put his
finger on the pistol trigger, and looked
the desperate straight In the eye.
We caniget along without an exchange
of compliments on this occasion, and
as for arresting any body IL you don't
behave yourself I'll have you and
your precious pal taken off at the next
depot, jailed, tried and convicted as
swindlers, and sent to the Peniten-
tiary. I can do it by tick Of the
telegraph and will do 1t, You won
this morning, when we played with
you, and turn about is fair play. Ais
fair you KNOWN war, love, and
poker. You and / never play any
other than q fair game"
"And you are the parties we played
with this morning."
ayes. We are the parties that you
robbed this morning, and you are the
parties who fell this evening. But
all's fair; and hope you are sat-
sfied.n
Here the editor handed over $3.50 10
the Parson, his share Of the winnings
and the game ended. II
Soon after this episode the evil Of
unsuspecting passengers