The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-20
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When Deacon Showers came down to
visit bis son Ben, who lives In Chicago, he
had great antipathy TO games of any
kind as played among young mon. He
was pillar In church that considered
cards as an especial invention of the devil
to lure men into his p ,wer. lie had SEQ q
them played, but he didn't know one from
the other. Billiards no had heard Of, but
he had never seen a billiard table, and he
didn't want to. lie considered billiards as
harmful TO the aristocralic part Of the
community, who could afford to play the
gaulc, as cards were 10 the common classes.
Both were bad-bad and he and bis
| brothers in the church had often groane,l
together over the tendency nf the rising
generation to amusements Of this kind.
His son was well to do merchant and
his home was pleasant one, fur finer than
anything plain old Deacon Showers was
used to seeing, and he asked Ben to show
HIM over the house.
They came to one room which Bon
tried to get the old gentleman past. But
he was bound to see everything, and lie
opened the door and looked in. In the
| center Of tho room stood u nearly square
table Of peculiar appearance, covered with
green cloth, and with raised edge all
around 1t.
"WLat is that 2" asked the old gentle
man.
"That's table the boys play game
on, answered Ben. "Come on and III
show you the stable, now."
But the old genteman's curiosity was
excited. lie looked the table over, and it
had such an honest, square appearance,
that he couldn't sec much chance fer any
thing bad IN its use. AT least, that ls the
way it struck him.
''How do they use it2" he asked.
Ben saw that his father had become In
terested, 80 he EXP ed the game and
produced the balls and cues for the old
genteman's inspection.
"lt must be quite rice game" said the
deacon. "rhey-they don't gamble with
it, do they ?"
"The boys never play for anything but
anu ement." answered Ben, cvaslvely.
"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
Be-. ut would have counted you two"
''Is that so2" The deacon was Qui;e
elated at his success. l don't believe in
games, much, tho alters liked to play
checkers but b'leve I'd like this. Let's
| try game an see how 1t goes"
"All right" said Ben. chucklng to him
self for he knew well what prejudice his
| father had to billiards.
So they played. The deac IN had in him
the elements of a good billiard player.
he made sonle very good shots, and came
near beating Ben. He enjoyed the first
game 80 much, that he wanted to play
on hnr nd r,ltt l,,,fr
behind on that, heeehallenged Ben to pay
| O third, and won.
II like the game" he declared, emphat-
| ically. 'It amounts to suthjn'. What g
the name of it, Ben ~
Billiards." answered Ben, with sly
twinkle In his eye.
"What9"
The deacon looked at Ben as ii thunder
struck. You don't mean to say Two been
playin' billiards do you 2"
'.Yes," answered Don land you payed
we'll for beginner. If you keep on
pract!cmg, you make a tin-top player"
"Good Lord !" groaned the deacon,
turning pale. ~ wonder what they'd say
| up to Greenville If they knew I wouldn't
have 1t glt out that Id been pIayln' bll.
lards, for farm. Don't you say nothm'.
Ben. FL it should leak out, I'd be turned
out o'thc church.
81 don't see as any harm has been DONE"
said Ben. s'You SEQ now, don't you, that
billiards can be played with tho best of
motives 2"
''Yes, but that excuse wouldn't 20 down
with 'em, of they should find it out. said
the deacon. "You won't cay nothin,
Benz"
Ben promised to keep mum. Nobody
In Greenvlllc knows how the deacon fell
from grace on his visit to the city. When.
ever his brothers in the church ,nveigh
against the SIN Of billiard playing, he says
nothing, and feels guilty Of deceit in not
confessing the truth. But to himself he
! admits that he d,d really oni " the game
l know tho good deacon would like to
have the church make it obligatory on it's
members TO learn the game of billiards, bit
he wouldn't dare to say 80.