Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-01-31
HE WAS A WONDER.

lizards in the billiard room Of st. Louis ho-
tel. The two players were pretty fairish am
ateurs chaps who could run up string Of
five OF SIX cushion caroms without much
trouble They were travelling men, one a
Young fellow and the other a mlddleaged
man The younger man was trife the bet
ter player, but he was so chesty and con
ceited over the good shots he made that
think all OF US who were standing around
watching the game were inclined TO root
for the older man. Every time the younger
man drove the balls around in a way that
suited him he exclaimed; You can't lose
me- or III beat you two TO one or I'm |
class A proposition at this game or some
thing like that, and his uppish remarks and |
his habit OF casting nosegays along his own |
pathway were somewhat disgusting. The |
two men were playing for a dollar game,
cushion caroms, and the young man gath
cred several dollars into his hoard as stood
there and watched the progress Of the pay.
Finally the older man had enough, and he
nut up his cue. The younger man hadn't
tired Of the game yet, however, and he
looked around the room in coek-sure kind
Of way and inquired:
"Any Of you gentlemen want to play 3
game or two9
There was no response to his invitation
| for a moment or two, apd he was about to
return his cue TO the rack, when an ordinary
| looking man with stubby mustaehe and
| fine lines under his eyes, and not overly well
| dressed, stepped forward in dlfhdent sort
Of way. He had been watching the young
mans game for some time.
| "I'll 90 you a string or two, he SAID, al.
| though I'm a bit out Of practice at the game.
"The young fellow looked the man over.
probably wondering within himse. whether
| Il would 90 for such a bowling swell ae hum
self TO engage in a public game With a man
who appeared 70 be 50 careless az TO has APP
parel but he finally said, patronizingIy.
"sMeH. take a cue-whats your strong
hold in the game, anyhow
90. anything said the ordinary looking
man I'm not particular.
How about cushion caroms.
They'll do said the untidy looking
man.
Shall discount your
asNot unless You insist upon H. I'm a NJ
lie out a practice. but III try and hoid my
own. II don't succeed IN doing that you
can discount me i you ike.
Want to make 1t Tor simoleon
gamey
r Is Not lust yet. I'm not much OF betting
+ man and / want to see how make one.
go thew started TO play. The young char
won the bank. and he reeled OF i q m
earoms in quite dazzling fashion, Then h
looked around for approval while he ehalke'
~ enc The untidy looking man attempted
r a comnaratively easy one, and missed 1t D.
: A. me Young man smiled in a superio
!. SORT az way and cracked out nine more. N
or9inary.looking man made two, and thei
zen down in a comparatively easy draw. III
: S;5nst look IN the least worried, however
I. ~. s,nek 4 couple OF sticks OF chewing gun
Z 40 ~ face and chewed away at them con
/, tentedlv. The young man ran out 10 , IN {
or four more INNINGS, WITH seore = ~ !
: y in his favor. He crowed exultingly' an
then he started 70 put up his cue
Through inquired the ordinary'iOo'
ing man. ,.,n.4orl.
Yes. was the reply, 4 don't Ike 70 pa
solitaire. I'm afraid you're not quite mar
enough nut for me to crack my iriehu.
30. well, we might as well have snoth'
game. said the man with the stuops nu
taehe.
.'Wen. | don't mind replied the you'
with the inflated chest measurement
eHe took HE cue from the raek ana s'ru
:. ted around the table with sort Of "ear't
~ ar AZ though he was doing the thing oniy
a. matter 81 accommodation for the oih'
"a fellow. but the ordinary man called MN
tn play. 1,o,icsd
onesr feature Of the ordinary man p'
I'm the start. He would make a shot
smazine difficulty with all the ease IN 4
I, ,na then he would hzzle on dead cas- Oh
The Young man forged steadily ahead. +,
9. Here he said. when he had 10 s,s on ! |
~r;pe 10 the ordinary mans four
count YOU, and bet III go out before you
=. run 90 .s;.ar,.looki
: man What's the bet! .
~ . sNfake Il 1--WE. shall weY inquired
u rce.headed youth, sizing up has oppone
q ~ didn't believe the latter mao al
.h,ne Ike that much in his clothes.
n . Eve hundred Il you want to- said
-, licking man, pulling out WaG
nd Ssrk green ones big enough TO stun MOI
coilsr The Young man sort gaspe1.
ue go no not that kind Of money, ne Sd
tie ~, I'm make il SOS, if you want 20.
!" cyou're on, said the seedy -lookihe N.
W nd the money was put IN the hanos 0i
at proprietor Of the room. ~
IA Il, was the young mans next shot, anu
ran "a cushion caroms with such address 80 :
aclat that he couldn't refrain from N ICON y
n. a. ms hauehtily. He left the balls N !
W. middle o. the table. The seedy.iookifns, !
- ssEeJ for ruler, and, with piece Of en'
N he proceeded to draw divers ana sum
III lines on the table, just Y inches ITO"
Ill s,5es and ends thereof.
IL "sWhat are you going to do! askeo
hot youth. with surprised expression press on:b
PLAY you l2-inch balk to your . eus "a
m caroms. replied the ordinary, looking Ems y !,
Ci, munchine his gum. and III after the 81 =,
os our wager to this effect; That you "
get another shot in the string OF %. ~,
.sTbe young man grinned eompla's@h' :
r You've been boozing, he SAID
VI, "Tben the seedy-looking man pra1C So
With ! cue as light as thlstiedown; ! -
!. saw such billiards, at billiard exhibition Il,
,ens snvwbere else. 1t was beautiful l rs