The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-06
Where the Surprise Came In.

ibid you ever hear that story about Few
York drummer's little game Of billiards viii
Billy CattOns' asked a well-known amateur
who was seated among a group of expert
billiard players, says the New York Recorder.
at Slossoo's the other evening.
No" chorused the crowd who have more or
less respect for the amateurs abilities as a
raconteur.
WELL" said the amateur, lighting a fresh
cigar and settling himself comfortably IN his
leather-covered chair, you all know that I'D
Billy likes his joke pretty well. One afternoon
he strolled into Schaefer's place lounged IN
20 where the the 'Wizsrd' was standing, passed
the time OF day with him, and cast his eve
around to see what was going on. His glance
rested on q gay specimen Of the genus travel
ing man, gotten up regardless Of expense in
the Shlnlest or silk hats and suit of the most
vociterous p aids, cut a month or two ahead of
the latest style. This brilliant creature was
knocking the balls about on a table near by
and from the way he fingered his cue Billy could
see that he knew thing or two about the game,
and Wanted other people TO know it, too.
say, Jake finally exclaimed the drum
mer, resting one hand on the table so as to
display to advantage a huge diamond ring do
you know anybody who'd Ike to join me- Don't
trot up any superanUated mugs I play
pretty stiff game Of billiards you know
The Wizard winked expr -ssively at Billy
and replied: Here's a gentleman who'll &C
commodate you, ! think. He may be a little
out or form just now, but l guess he can play a
fair game
The drummer nodded superciIiously to Cat
ton, and inquired How steep dye want to
80, don't know, replied Billy, with amiable
coyness
III play you SEQ to 500, 200 points M.
straight RAIL- remarked the man with the flash
ing diamonds
IS Isn't that a little steepg' demurred Billy.
Not for man who strikes the gait l do >
responded the drummer, emphatcally.
pert.
proceeded to bank Cation soon made his first
shot, then gathered the balls and deity worked
them along the rail, round and round the table
scoring the 200 points without miss, while the
drummer stood staring at him with wide open
eyes and dropping jaw.
I reckon you do play a pretty fairish
game, drawled Cation, as he stuffed the
drummer's $500 into his pocket. Don't you
want to wash your handsg This is an awfuiy
dusty table, -"
That isn't such bad yarn, either" ex-
claimed dapper little man, after the anna
teur and his friends had taken something in
honor of Cations ex plot. Somehow or other
1t reminds me of the way O'Connor, the cham
plon oarSman, once saw Schaefer do a little
business with the cue. 1t was pretty nearly
time for the Toronto sculler to start off for
Australia, and he didn't have more than half
an hour to spare
Cation set near a window across the hall in
sem-somnoent condition. Jake reused him
ami told him to pick up cue and play a few
strokes. Cation arose with yawn, grabbed the
nrst cue he saw, won the bank and set to work
like piece of we-oiled machinery Slowly
and carefully he poked the worries around the
table. The minutes were slipping by, and
OConnor began to wonder whether ne was
going to see Jake play after all. Cation kept
on rolling up his SEQ e. Finally OConnors
thirty minutes and his patience were both
nearly at an end CHANGING first at the clock
and then at his watch he exclaimed:
Tell you what it is, Jake. L We got to 90 now,
but I'll drop in again when 7 get back from
Australia, and maybe then it'll BE- your turn to
play.'"