The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-08-14

I've seen good poker playing IN
my life observed Tom the next day in
a wondering way, but l never saw a
man size up the other fellows hands the
way Bill Brown did last night. And to
think that l considered Bill an easy mark
at the game
Tom was a pretty foxy boy himself
when it came to card playing, and al
day long he kept trying 10 figure out
how it happened. That evening Bill
Brown came over TO play again. Bill
kept on playing the same skilful game
Of the night before, seeming to know
exactly what cards Tom Wilson was
holding. By-anI-by Tom noticed that
Bill kept watching the bear closer than il
Re was the third person in the game
Then Tom began to appreciate that in
some way the bear was giving Bill points.
Tom made I'D his mind to get even.
THAT poor pet OF yours acts as if
he was hungry observed Tom, in sort
Of a plying way. Wait a minute and
III get him a nice bit Of raw meat
so Tom went into the kitchen and
cut off a big piece Of raw meat.
"'Such an extraordinary intelligent
civilized bear would certainly wan to
@N' 49, - - 80, 21Ia 1 o4LI -AlI1
he made a slice in the meat and
stuck III a mighty liberal portion Of red
pepper. Then he went back into the
bar-room whore Bill and the bear were.
Hes your bear, Bill, said Tom in
a kindly manner. You'd better give
him the meat yourself
bill handed the meat to the bear. The
bear gobbled it down. In a minute there
was an excited bear in that bar-room. He
| began to dance around the floor, holding
on to his stomach with his front paws,
and growing at Bill in tones which
weren't those Of affectionate regard. Then
the bear rolled over on the floor and
finally made a break for the door and gal
loped home at a rate that established
a new record in bear sprinting. Bill
thought his pet had a fit. He hurried
home. There was the bear at the
watering trough drinking at a rapid rate,
and only stopping to rub his stomach
every few seconds in a pensive manner
Bill was mad.
There's a bear that I've spent
thought, and care, and valuable time
training, and just when l am winning
Tom Wilson's money in a record break
ing manner he chooses that moment to
give a fancy exhibition of a big black
bear throwing a fit. III teach him a
lesson that will make him appreciate
there is a time and place for everything,
including fits
"And Bill picked up a stick and be-
gan beating that much abused bear.
Even a Christian l told Bill SOL
emily, would resent the treatment
you've handed out to that bear, and
forgiving tenderness isn't the long suit
Of any black bear. That pet Of yours
blames you for the internal commotion
he suffered last night, as we'll as for
the beating you gave him. If | am any
judge of bear nature, he will be looking
for revenge
That bear Of mine is the pet and
pride of my heart replied Bill earn
estly. I've fed and cared for him. Nc
animal who has come to know my good
qualities the way that bear has would
ever cherish malice against honest old
Bill Brown for the few Christening blows
l gave him..
Tom Wilson is a pretty good judge OF
bear, as we'll as human nature. He had
made up his mind that there wouldn't
be much more valuable information com
ing to Bill Brown from that bear. Sc
Tom didn't make any protest at having
the bear sit back of him. The game
went along lOI 81 Willie NlllOuI lib -
element. Bill kept winning, for the bear
gave the signals all right, although sub
sequent proceedings showed he was only
waiting for a nance to get even. Finally
Bill got an ace full, while Tom Wilson
had four threes. Bill glanced over a
the bear. The treacherOuS animal gave
a signal that Tom was holding 4 full
house. Poor old Bill, thinking he hat
the best full house in the deck, bet 81
much that when the call came all the
money he had won and a big bunch of hi
own coin was in the pot. Tom showed
down his four of a kind and raked il
everything in sight.
bill was dazed. He looked over a
the bear to see if his once faithful pe
could nave made a mistake. The self
satisfied look on that furry deceiver.
face showed that he had misled hi
worthy owner on purpose. Bill grabbe'
a chair and began pounding the bear
| But that particular bear had made III
his mind he was not going to stand any
, thing more in the way Of abuse from
+ Bill Brown. When the boys untangle'
the mix-up Bill looked a if he had bee
having an argument with a stone crush
: er. The bear ducked through the door
; way. and that was the last ever seen 0
: him. Bill was inconsolable.
/ IL don't so much mind losing all tina
e good money he said, in a grieved, pa
thctic manner, although that hurts. Blu
y to think, after knowing me all thes
wears. that bear should play such
{ treacnerous trick on honest old Bil
q Brown almost breaks my heart
e wv WEBSTER.
$ sTRJ3K AND KILLED BY TFE1N.