Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-03-07
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visit his son Ben, who lives in Chicago, b,
had a great antipathy 20 games of an,
kind as played among young men. II,
was a pillar in church that considered
cards as an especial invention of the devi
them played, but he didn't know one from
the other. Billiards he had heard of, bu
he had never seen billiard table, and bt
didn't want IN. tie considered billiards a.
harmful to the aristocraric part of tht
community, who could afford to play The
game, as cards were 10 the common classes
Both were bad-bsd and he and hi.
brothers in the church had often groanet
together over the tendency of the rIslnl
generation to amusements of this kind.
His son was a well to do merchant and
his home was pleasant one, far finer thar
anything plain old Deacon Showers wa:
used to seeing, and he asked Ben to show
HIM over tine house.
They came TO one room which Ber
tired to get the old gentleman past. But
he was bound to see everything, and he
opened the door and looked in. In the
center of the room stood nearly square
table of peculiar appearance, covered with
green cloth, and with raised edge al
around 1t.
''What is that ?" asked the old gentle
man.
''That's table the boys play a game
on, answered Ben. 'Come on and III
show you the stable, now."
But the old gentleman's curiosity was
excited. lie looked the table over, and it
had such an honest, square appearance,
that he couldn't see much chance for any
thing bad In its use. AT least, that Is the
way it struck him.
''How do they use it n he asked.
Ben saw that his father had become ln-
terested, so he explained the game and
produced the balls and cues for the old
gentleman's inspection.
"It must be quite a pice game" said the
deacon. ''They-they don't gamble with
it, do they?"
''The boys never play for anything but
answered Ben, evasIvely.
That's right said the deacon, taking
up one of the cues and giving ball a tap.
THAT would have been good shot if
you had been playing the game" said
Ben. ut would have counted you two. ]"
SIS that sol' The deacon was qui.e
elated at his success. l don't believe in
games, much, tho alters liked to play
checkers. but b'lleve I'd like this. Let's
try game an see how 1t goes"
"An right" said Ben, chuckling to him.
self for he knew well what prejudice his
father had to billiards.
So they played. The deacon mad in him
the elements of a good billiard player.
He made some very good shots, and came
near beating Ben. He enjoyed the first
game so much, that he wanted to play
another, and coming out but one or two
behind on that, he challenged Ben to pay
a third, and won.
81 Ike the game" he declared, emphat-
ically. at amounts TO suthin'. What's
the name of it, Ben p
Billiards." answered Ben, with a sly
twinkle In his eye.
"Whati"
The deacon looked at Ben as if thunder
struck. You don't mean to say I've been
playin' billiards do you r.
YES" answered Ben; "and you played
well for beginner. If you keep on
pract:clng, you'll make tip-top player"
''Good Lord !" groaned the deacon,
turning pale. 81 wonder what they'd say
up To Greenville If they knew? | wouldn't
have it gIt out that I'd been a playln' bil-
isrds, for farm. Don't you say nothm',
Ben. 81 it should leak out, I'd be turned
)ut o'the church.
81 don't see as any harm has been done" >"
said Ben. ''You see now, don't you, that
billiards can be played with the best of
motives ?"
"Yes, but that excuse wouldn't go down
with 'em, ef they should find it out" said
he deacon. ''You won't say nothin,
Ben 2"
Ben promised to keep mum. Nobody
IN GreenvIlle knows how the deacon fell
rom grace on his visit to the city. When
ever his brothers in the church mveigh
against the SIN of billiard playing, he says
nothing, and feels guilty of deceit in not
the truth. But to himself he
admits tina; he did really enjoy the game.
know the good deacon would like to
have the church make it obligatory On its
TO learn the game of billiards, bit
he wouldn't dare 10 say so.