Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-24
AN EPISODE.

Once upon a time, which was 3 O'Clock
yesterday morning, there was a remarkable
concatenation of circumstances. The sur
was rising In the east, and the union depo,
was crowded with people going west. Train
No. A gave shril1 whistle, which indicated
that there was no time to spend in fare
wells, and after kissing the others goodby
the passengers took their seats in the cal
and waited for results
There were three persons in the carriage
next to the smoking car who would have
attracted the attention Of any extraordinary
| observer One was a very green country
| fellow, who moved uneasily and sat un,
gracefully in his scat. There was no doubt
that he was fresh from the plow, and be
carried about with him the peculiar but
not unpleasant odor that the husbandmau
invariably receives from mother earth.
He was the Deserved of all observers, but
especially or two observers on the other
side of the aisle--the other two passengers,
who would naturally be the oynosure OF
neighboring eyes in any neighborhood.
They eyed him askance from time to time,
and at last one of them said:
Pm burned il he amt the worst green
horn 1 ever SEEN"
Just get on to him now, will yerf" ex-
claimed the other, manifesting maximum
of excitement for an adult. Both men be-
came excited.
The train was rushing through a leafy
dell at a rate that fairly took away the
breath Of the excited travellers and afforded
them no opportunity of admiring the beau
ties Of the picturesque country through
which they were passing. II they had been
inclined to do 80. The songs of the birds
were drowned by the rattle of the cars. The
wild flowers which enameled the earth
looked like white nebule in the distance,
and for the first time in the history of rail-
roading the telegraph poles skirting the
railroad track really did present the ap-
pearance of board fence, so completely
did the engineer annihilate space with
steam.
While science was effecting this phenom-
enon, which often has been alluded to in
Jest before, the two excited travellers turned
their eyes upon the countryman. He had
in his hand a big roll of greenbacks, which
he displayed in reckless manner.
He counted them over several times, and
it was plain that many of them were of Il
large denomination.
well heeled," said one of the travellers
on the other side of the aisle.
you bet" answered the other.
IF he flashes his money in that way, he'll
get robbed" suggested Traveller No. /.
"You bet" responded Traveller No. q
1--WE are honest fellows" remarked Trav-
eler No. /.
You bet," answered Traveller No. 2.
NOW, the fellow is bound to be robbed.
He don't know nothing"
Not a thing"
Suppose we get him into game, get his
money from him and'-
"And WHAT" asked his companion.
Send his money home after we've won
it,"
There was a sigh from one traveller and
wink from the other. and they both cried
agreed"
1t was an easy thing for them to get the
conductor to turn down the seat opposite
the green countryman, and they knew ii
would be an easy thing TO turn down the
countryman If he consented to play cards
with them. They took their seats opposite
to him and opened up conversation.
Travelling farP"
pretty far" said the countryman.
What time do you get thereW
Tomorrow morning."
Ever play cardsp
Used to play on the farm sometimes."
"Any particular gamer"
"Poker."
Like to play nowi"
Don't mind little game to pass away
the time" remarked the oountryman, witt
a yawn.
One Of the two travellers produced deck
of cards. The countryman picked them up
and shufied them awkwardly. IL was
small game, quarter ante, no limit.
"Puddin," whispered one of the travellers
laconically.
You bet, hoarsely murmured his friend
The countryman was looking at his hand
and did not notice this exchange OF views
On the first hand he dropped e., and on
the second he dropped &5. Then the game
went along steadily for awhile. At last the
countryman picked up hand which made
him very nervous. The travellers both had
good hands. and they looked mysteriously
at each other. The betting began TO grow
heavy for the travellers. The countrymaD
seemed to have nerve. Fortune had no
doubt smiled upon him. There was a large
sum on the table. The travellers laid down.
The countryman won go He only had
pair of deuces.
The travellers were becoming nervous and
kicked each other quietly under the table.
They were getting the worst OF 1t. They
were accomplished poker players. and Il
was mortifying to be beaten by fellow
that did not know anything about the
game.
The hecountryman had steady run OF luck, |
and in a few hours he was $50 ahead.
Suddenly the brakeman cried out, Five |
minutes for refreshments" The two play |
ers were nervous and excited. The coun.
tryman drew one card. The others drew |
one card each.
Make your bet, I" said Traveller No. 1.
"I am not in It. said the countryman.
and rising he added, ''I'm going TO get a |
cup Of coffee"
He left the car, and the travellers upon |
his discarded hand discovered |
that he had laid down four kings, which |
had been dealt 10 him. They looked at 1
each other in blank astOnishment and |
started out 20 find the eountFymAn.
But be WAS nowhere In the vicinity.
He took away with him $50 Of the two /
who wanted TO win bis /
money 10 save 1t for him.
Mcral-In a free country the end does /
not Justify the means.-ExchanRe.
Tha Origin of = Well Known EEpresslOn.