Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-01-29
AN EPISODE.

was crowded with people going west. Train
/ No a. Rave a shrill whistle. which indicated
that there was no time TO spend in fare
/ wells, aid after kissing the others goodDy
! the passengers took their seats IN the gar
and waited for results.
There were three persons in the carriage
next to the smoking car who would la"
attracted the attention ofany extraordinary
observer. One was n 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 husbandman
invariably receives from mother earth.
He was the Alserved Of all observers, but
especially ofStwo observers on the other
side of the aisle-the other two passengers,
who would naturally be the cynosure Of
neighboring eyes IN any neighborhood.
They eyed him askance from time 20 time.
and at last one OF them said:
'I'm durned il he amt the worst green
horn ever seen"
Just get on to him now, will yer?" ex-
claimed the other, manifesting a maximum
of excitement for an adult Both men be
came excited.
The train was rushing through q leafy
dell at rate that fairly took away the
breath Of the excited travellers and afforded
them no opportunity Of admirng the beau
ties Of the picturesque country through
which they were passing, If they had been
inclined TO do so. The songs of the birds
were drowned by the rattle Of the cars The
wild flowers which enameled the earth
looked like white nebulpe 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, 50 completely
did the engineer annihilate space with
steam.
While science was eifecting this phenom-
enon, which often hns 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 grcenbacks, which
he displayed in II reckless manner.
He counted them over several times, aud
it was plain that many Of them were Of u
large denomination.
well heeled," said one Of the travelers
on the other side Of the aisle.
"You bet, answered the other
"If he flashes his money in that way, hp'i,
get robbed, 4" suggested Traveller No. 1.
"You bet, ." responded Traveller No. ..
1--WE are honest fellows" remarked Tray-
eler No. /.
"You bet, answered Traveller No. 9.
"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 what9" asked his companion.
"Send his money home after we've won
it,"
There was a sigh from one traveller and a
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 It
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 farfn
"Pretty far" said the countryman.
"What time do you get theref"
Tomorrow morning"
ever play cardsi"
USED TO play on the farm sometimes"
Amy particular gamep
poker"
Like TO play now"
Don't mind little game to pass away
the time" remarked the countryman, with
yawn.
One Of the two travellers produced a deck
Of cards. The countryman picked them up
and shuiiied them awkwardly IL was a
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 lac dropped s., and on
the second he dropped s.. Then the game
went along steadily for awhile. Al last the
countryman picked up hand which mnda
him very nervous. The travellers both had
good hands, and they looked mysteiously
at each other The betting began to grow
heavy for the travellers. The cOuntryman
seemed 10 have nerve. Fortune had nc
doubt smiled upon him. There was a large
sum on the table. The etravelers laid down
The countryman won $40 He only had
pair OF deuces.
The travellers were becoming nervous aud
kicked each other quietly under the table.
They were getting the worst of It, They
were accomplished poker players, and il
was mortifying To be beaten by a fellow
that did not know anything about the
game,
The oointryman had u steady run of luck
and In few hours he was $3.50 ahead
Suddenly the brakeman cried out, "Fivt
minutes for refreshmeutsm The two play
ers were nervous and excited, The coun-
tryman drew one card The others drew
one card each.
MAKE your bet, said Traveller No. /.
81 am not in &C." said the eountryman,
and rising he added, "I'm going To get a
cup of coffee"
He left the ear, and the travellers upon
examining his discarded hand discovered
that he had laid down four kings, which
had been dealt TO him. They looked at
each other In blank astonishment and
started out TO tlnd the countryman.
But he was nowhere In the vicinity
He took away with him $3.50 OF the two
philanthropists, who wanted 60 win his
money TO save IL for him,
Mowl-ln free country the end does
uot justify the means Exchange
the origin Of Well known Expression.
A negro Ia Georgia was indicted Tor steal.
lnu corn but Ia ptiarl arElinst "A t,,..fl,la