Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-16

stranger was an expert, and also that
he was holding himself back for some
reason.
The first game ended in favor of the
sad-eyed youth. when the stranger
quietly remarked:
81 seldom play billiards just for the
fun of the thing, and if you don't OBJ
Ieet we will play for a small sum just
to make it interesting"
The sad eyed one attempted to put
on don't-care-if-I-do look. but his
features showed plainly that he was
hunting game, and he mildly sug-
/ gested that $40 corner might not be
too high.
The well-dressed gentleman looked
q little puzzled. but he creased his enc
and nodded assent in his most eourtIv
style.
By this time quite crowd had gath
cred around the table, and what prom
ised to be a very exciting game began.
The youngster W the cloth and
started off with a run of twenty points.
Things looked little corkv 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-eved
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
4 of them, who seemed to be well ac-
quainted with the victorious billiard
| player, stepped up to him and whisp-
cred:
Il say, old man, you have busted
that young fellow, and 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 APP
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
500 side"
You are too good, sir" replied the
] fearful one. II am to be mar
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 S. piece.
| feel like blowing my brains out"
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
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, 81 want to see you pri-
vately. You know / have just won
another hundred from you, and you
must make some kind of an arrange
ment with me before we part"
The well-dressed gentleman led the
young man to one side, and, after talk
ing to him in fatherly manner few
! minutes, he said:
! Nov, know you are too proud to
accept the money l have just won
!. from you as present, but if you will
give me your note | will lend you the
money. and you can pay ME back
whenever you have the money"
A note of hand was promptly drawn
up and the young man pocketed the
money and was duly married on the
following day.
The well-dressed gentleman is none
other than one of the best-known
sports in the state. He is worth over
100000. and never takes money from
any but those who can afford to lose
it. He thought in this case that the
young man was rich sucker" and
he was proceeding to do him up in
frst-class style when he was made ac-
quainted with the true facts in the
case.
The young man has learned a good
lesson, and it is to be hoped that he
will not again attempt TO earn money
in disreputable manner.