The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-06-18
CRAPS BEFORE DUTY.
The Darky Thought That the New Yorker
Was Very IncOnsiderate.

The Darky Thought That the New Yorker
Was Very Inconsiderate.
A Wall street man tells this story:
Il was making the trip from New Or
leans TO Memphis in April by Missis-
Bippi river steamboat. On the first day
out from New Orleans l felt the need OF
the BARRIERS services and learning that
the Memphis Belle was tonsorially
equipped | sought out that office. 1
found a single barber in charge,
rather pompous, tall person of color
with flowing Dundreary whiskers. He
was engaged in doing nothing at all
with that grace of execution peculiar TO
the southern darby. | seated myself
in his chair and was soon wrapped in
thought upon some business | had be-
gun in New Orleans. The barber began
his work leisurely, the while carrying
on a One-sided flow of talk to which l
replied in monosyllables. .
THE day was warm and was almost
doing away under the soft splashes oe
his brush when another customer
entered. He was nervous, fidgety sort
of man and as there were no newsDa-
pers in the room he amused himself in
looking at a few prints hung on the
walls, the attraction of which soon
palled upon him. Then he walked 70
the door and looked down the deck
where a group of roustabouts were en-
gagged in the game of craps. Figaro
had by this time completed the lather-
ing of one side of my face and reused me
by turning my head around. | init
mated that life was short, and [ didn't
care about passing too much of it in be-
ing shaved. He was evidently Disguised
with my taciturnity and replied with
great dignity, but with no haste either
of speech or action; 'Cert'nly, sab, GER
t'nlY.'
The strangers curiosity had been
aroused by the gambling going on OUT
side, which was as usual accompanied
by the come sevens.' and shrieks of
craps which attend that game.
What game is that, barber? he
demanded of Dundreary. He of the
whiskers made enc or two artistic plays
of his brush over my chin and answered:
" Lab, Gawd, mister, amt yer ever
seen that game? That's craps. Every
body plays it round this country.
THE stranger admitted he had seen
it played before in the wharves and
streets, but said he had not discovered
any mental light from his observations.
running exchange of queries and eX-
plantations followed between barber and
stranger, during which a not over keen
razor had begun its course down my
right cheek. Both parties to the col
loquy were getting interested and was
getting bored
The nervous stranger appeared
somewhat obtuse, or, perhaps. the YER.
nacular of the barber was inadequate
to convey the full meaning of tha
technical details of craps. At any rate,
he pressed for further information. NV
face had by that time been cleared OF
beard as to my chin and part of my
cheek. Fifteen minutes had been cor.
sumed in the process and my patience
was becoming threadbare.
The barber had exhausted his powers
of description and, turning to tho
stranger, he said:
Well, sab, eff you really wants to
know how to shoot craps l kin show
YOU and placing the razor on the shelf
he opened a drawer and withdrew a
pair of greasy-looline dice. Then he
stepped over to a table and began to
give practical exposition of the mys,
teries of the game. This was too much.
Here l cried, raising myself in tho
chair. Finish up this job before you
get to crap shooting
Certainly, sah,' he replied to me-
and turning to the stranger he added:
'One minute an I'll show you
1T only took few minutes to com.
plete his work on me, and as I put on
my coat he and the stranger proceeded
with the game. AS | left the room 7
could hear him muttering about tha
hurry some people is in an it is still
fob days fore we get to Memphis. y,
\. y. Sun.