The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-05-16
LEARNED A LESSON.
A Would-be Billiard Shark Meets Little
More Than His Match.

More Than His Match.
Rather peculiar little scene occur
red in the Nadeau house billiard hail
the other night, says the Los Angeles
Times A young fellow who works
for small salary and has had long
ing desire to become dude was
| loungiHg about the place watching the
players. He sat silently for almost an
hour without opening his mouth, when
all of sudden and without warning
he jumped to his feet and approached
dandy-looking gentleman who had
just completed game and calculated:
'Sir, | have not the honor of your
acquaintance. bnt have watched your
last game with great deal of interest,
and if you are not too tired | should
like to play you just one game"
''All right, my boy, l am never too
tired to accommodate gentleman who
| is anxious to court sport" replied the
stranger.
+ In few minutes the two were in the
midst of an exciting game, for both
were good players, but an experienced
eye could see at a glance that the
stranger was an expert, and also that
lie was holding himself back for some
| reason.
The first game ended in favor of the
sad-eyed youth. when the stranger
quietly remarked:
Il seldom play billiards just for the
| fun of the thing, and if you don't OBJ
ject we will play for small sum just
to make it interesting"
The sad-eyed one attempted to put
on dont-care-if-I-do look, but his
features showed plainly that he was
| hunting a game, and he mildly sug-
gested that $20 a corner might not be
too high.
The well-dressed gentleman looked
a little puzzled, but he creased his cue
and nodded assent in his most courtly
style.
By this time quite crowd had gath
cred around the table, and what prom
ised to be very exciting game began.
The voungster won the cloth and
started off with run of twenty points.
Things looked little cOrky for the
weli-dressed gentleman, but he braced
himself up and won the game without
difficulty. Four more games followed
in quick succession, and the sad-eyed
man announced that he was "busted."
A sob was in his voice, and several of
the gentlemen about the table who had
been watching the game with deep in
| terest noticed couple of big tears
forming in the young mans eyes. One
of them, who seemed to be we'll ac-
| quainted with the victorious billiard
player. stepped up to him and whisp-
| cred:
81 say, old man, you have busted
| that Young fellow, andif | mistake not
he doesn't know where under the sun
he will get another dollar. Give him
another chance, even If you have to
| lose"
The well-dressed gentleman ap-
preached the youth. and, taking him
to one side, said:
81 see by your looks that you can
not afford to lose that money, and if
you wish l will give you another
chance: 1 will play you one game for
800 side"
You are too good. sir, replied the
ried to morrow to one of the
sweetest girls in the world, and had
saved that money for the wedding ex-
penses, and to save my life don't
know where | can get even a $5 piece.
feel like blowing my brains out p"
And three or four big tears chased
each other down his pale cheek.
"All right, my young friend, I'll
give you a chance to win it back,
and you can make your sweet girl
happy"
The fearful one was given the first
shot, but to save his life he could not
make point. His new friend threw
off all through the game, but he could
. not beat himself, and when the last
shot was made the young man turned
. from the table broken hearted.
, Don't CO." said the well-dressed
gentleman. Il want to see you pri.
vately. You know 1 have just wor
another hundred from you, and yoU
must make some kind of an arrange
, ment with me before we part"
q | The well-dressed gentleman led the
|, Young man to one side, and, after talk
o ing to him in a fatherly manner few
: minutes, he said:
: Now, know you are too proud t.
o accept the money l have just wol
8 from you as a present. but if you viii
3 give me your note / will lend you th'
e money. and you can pay me bacl
q whenever YOU have the money"
l. A note of hand was promptly draw
d up and the young man pocketed tn
l. money and was duly married on tn
l. following day.
e The well-dressed gentleman is nom
,s other than one of the best-knowl
= sports in the state. He is worth owe
d $lOO, 900, and never takes money from
m any but those who can afford to los
" it. He thought in this case that tn
:. youLg man was a rich sucker" an
le he was proceeding to do him up il
As first-class style when he was made &C
y auainted with the true facts in tn
st case.
,e The young man has learned goo
10 lesson, and it is to be hoped that b
T. will not again attempt TO earn none
ne in disreputable manner.