The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-09

49, e-A~ -NS" YIN AACAd 4Q
It is not often that a confidence man is
smart enough TO get the better of an ex-
perienced commercial traveller, but now
and then such thing occurs.
4 case in point is told with great gusto
by the victim, who is a well-known tray
eler for a prominent New York dry goods
house. Seated one day recently in the
corridor of the Fifth Avenue hotel he mar
rated briefly this experience:
y had taken my seat, he said, in an
ordinary day coach at Louisville. NV
destination was Evansville, and was
thinking with pleasure Of my prospective
meeting with Dave Nesbit, who, as YOU
know, is not only a dry goods mans best
customer in Evansville, but the lolliest
fellow in that or almost any other city in
the United States.
The train was just pulling out of the
depot when a passenger entered. He
strolled up the car, and, upon reaching nv
seat, asked If l had any objections to his
occupying portion OF it. OF course, I
had none, and he seated himself directly
opposite me, l having had the forward
seat turned orer. He protested against
my moving any of my things; said he
didn't mind riding backward, and in a
few moments we were engaged in con
verSation.
Il found my companion a charming con
versationalist He was a suutherner.
gentlemanly in appearance, and remarked
in the course of our talk that he was
going on to St. Louis. Then we discussed
various matters-the tariff, silver bill
cotton and tooacco crop, the state of
trade, and, in fact, about everything that
casual railway acquaintance might talk
about. l found my companion we'll in
formed and began to develop liking for
him.
Ten or fifteen miles out of Louisville,
at a small station, lanky greenhorn of a
countryman boarded the train. The car
by that time was pretty well filed up,
and after a desperate attempt to curl
himself up on the woodbox the newcomer
strolled forward. Hating beside US, he
drawled out in a most pronounced accent:
Have either of you got any chewin' to-
baccol
My companion replied that he had not,
aud / said that | never chewed tobacco,
but added that had some tolu with me.
At that time every one in Louisville
chewed tolu, and had acquired the habit
temporarily.
The countryman laughed, but accepted
some of the toIu, put IL into his mouth,
laughed again, and remarked that it War
a po' substitute for tobacco, but he reck-
oned he could make it go. Then, without
any apology, and without asking whether
his company was acceptable, he pumped
down in a vacant seat next my compan-
ion.
"'Fine weather. he said, fer crops
by way of star ling a conversation. l re-
piled that it was, and then resumed my
discussion with the other.
~ Jest KEN from Louisville remarked
the yokel, after brief pause, Sold m
mules thar, an now N goin' home Then
he continued to describe in his rude way
the sights he had seen and the things he
had done in Louisville.
"'You were fortunate. said my &C
quaintance, in not falling into the hands
of bunco men. A fellow like you might
r. be robbed hundred times in city with
out ever finding it out. It's wonder
you didn't lose all the money you got for
your mules
"'Ain't got much of it left drawled
the countryman. played keards with
some men l met in a saloon, an they got
most of it.. We played new game. I
wasn't quite up to it, an they won most
times. They taught me tn game an gin
me pack o. keards, an reckon there
won't be many dollars left in my county
after get at tn boys at hum
He's run up against some card
sharps, whispered nay acquaintance to
me, and l smiled at the yokel's innocence
and nodded back that understood. Then,
addressing the backwoodsman, he re-
marked, 1 told you 50. You've fallen in
with gam Olers. It's wonder you have
any money left, you simpleton. They
don't generally treat countrymen that
way
1T was a fair an square game re
piled the innocent. I bet an lost, but
now know thu game an l don't mind
Ill get my money out of thu boys. You
see you play the game with three keards
I've been practicing it, an now kin do
it. Do you want to see it! l have the
keards here
without waiting for a reply he pulled
out pack of cards, selected three aces
and exposed their faces. You see, to fool
a man. he said, you turn up a corner of
one keard, an ace of hearts, say. Then
you throw 'em this way, an you bet as
how the other man can't pick out the
keard.'
He executed the throw clumsily, and
then turning to my companion said,
Now, III bet you $40 you can't pick the
ace of hearts
Nonsense, man, said the other,
you're fool. You don't know how to
play that
my advice to you, my friend said I,
is to throw those crrds out of the win
dow. You can't play the game, You're
so awkward that any one can pick the
card
"I'll bet you you can't pick it, he re-
iterated doggedly, to my chance acquaint-
ance.
well, rll teach you a lesson re-
marked the latter. 'I'll bet you $40
The money was put up and the card
turned. My friend won, and the country
man paid over the bill, remarking rue
fully at the same time; Well, il don't
seem TO work right. ] reckon I'll have to
practice leetle more
Yes, think you WILL returned the
other, coolly tucking the money in his
pocket, while the yokel excused himself
for minute
You're not going to keep that green
horns money! / asked in surprise of
my acquaintance when the other had
left.
- Indeed I am be replied; why not}
Wasn't it a fair betl Didn't we warn
himp
why not2' said. Why, it's like
robbery. You ought TO return the
money!
The countryman returned speedily
and again began TO handle the three
cards. Now I've got it,, he said at last.
Now you can't pick out the ace of hearts.
I'll bet We Sl0'
Take him up, whispered the other.
was really very angry with him by this
Time and prpVplrad oil Of a iUaiufanpa