Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-02-01
He Knew The Game.

the landing at Natchez, when two men
hastily jumped aboard, as the gang
plank was about to be pulled in, and
hurried forward 10 the clerks office to
register their names.
They were evidently strangers 10
each other. and had nothing in common
bel ond the trapsiiory fear Of heirg left.
The one. middle aged and rather
stout person, IN gray homespuD SUIT
and Panama hat, looked like well-to-
do BED River planter; while the other
was q tall, lonc-nt cked, tbimble-faced
individual. who might have hailed from
anywhere east Of the Ohio.
He wore lopg-talled coat, slouch
hat. and low shoes, buttoned at the
side. and carried in bis band a shabby
carpet-bag that he seemed to value
highly. for he never permitted it 10
leave his sight for moment and clune
to it with Jealous care, even while be
was laboriously placing his signature
in The huge book that the magnificent
office clerk suspiciously pushed toward
him.
Josiah Perkins. Opelousas, is what
he wrote in a grabbed, uncertain hand,
lust below the name Of the stout pas
senser. who registered as Mr.. Slas
Robbins, of Berwick Bay
A man who was standing on the up
per deck at tie time the two strangers
came aboard, turned around and looked
at them narrowly as they briskly made
their way through the crowd OF idle
loungers congregated on the guards.
He was neatly dressed, wore a glossy
six hat, and on the little finger OF his
white, symmetrical left hand, flashed
saperb diamond. AS soon as the boat
WAS again under way, he sauntered up
to the newcomers. and carelessly re.
marked that it was a pleasant day.
The man from Berwick Bay admitted
that It was extremely fine weather tor
the time of year. Then the stylish
stranger incidentally let drop that his
name was Hallack Clark. a cotton
buyer from New York. and asked IN a
commercial tone what the business
outlook was up the river.
Pretty tair,' replied the portly plan
ter pretty fair l have just cold all
my cotton in New Orleans al good
price, cash down, and am now on my
way to Vlcksburg for a short visit be-
fore gong home.
Rather dull, though, on board-don'
YOU think so:' observed the cotton
buyer, after pause, thOughtfully caresS-
ing his well-lrimmed side whlSkers.
'Ralher,' hesitatiugly repeated the
o nter, but Pm not 80 impatient as
some
You never play, suppose? quietly
continued the New Yorker, taking
pack of cards from his pocket and in
dJlently running them over.
'Somenmes,' reioined the other, with
a. utmost ein,nlicitV
Seven up?' said Clark, with an in
tcrrogative uplifting OF bis finely arched
brows.
Its the only game know anything
about lnnocently acknowledged the
planter.
Suppose we try a hand or two then,
lust 10 while away the time?' blandly |
suggested the gentlemanly owner of the |
deck
The planter, nothing 10th. assented,
and the game began.
Josiah Perkins, who sat little dis
tauce from the players, deeply engaged
in reading newspaper week Old, up
TO this time had not seemed to notice
the cotton buyer but now he turned |
slightly in bis chair, and looked search
inply at The man, as if ne had suddenly |
acquired new and important interest in
his eyes.
Robbins won the llrst rubber, which T!
appeared to keenly wound the feelings
of his antagonist, who proposed, just 10
make tie game liltla more interest,"
ing, that they should play tor half dol
lar stakes. The planter willingly
aareea to the proposal and quickly put