The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-03-31

hauling on a mainbrace, and ordered
the frightened waiter to bring two
packs of cards as If he was hailing to
windward in a northeast gale.
Il beg pardon, captain" said Blivins,
timidly, "but / am no card player
scarcely know one card from another"
Dye mean to say, young gentle
man." said the captain, fiercely, that
you're going to make marplot of
youFself--to sheer off like land lub-
Der when your mates are going into ac-
ton? SILVER my topsails, if l thought
so"-and he looked very red and apop-
lectic, and the other sea captains be-
gan to mutter and growl in a very
luminous manner.
"Well, gentlemen" said Blivins, IF,
after my avowal of ignorance, any one
of you is willing to accept me as a
partner, I'll join you"
"I'll take you," said Capt Bower
but, mind you keep your eye peeled,
youngster. l shall watch your game
like a shark watching for a funeral at
sea-"
After which ominous warning the
party sat down to cards. Blivins
thought they were playing for fun, but
he was deceived; little of the circu-
lating medium was involved. lust to
make the game interesting" as Capt.
Bower remarked.
When supper was announced, poor
Blivins found he was out five dollars.
Moreover he had been playing for
money" a thing abhorrent to his prin-
ciples. He sat down with very little
appetite, and had wretched time gen
orally
After supper he took Elias aside.
"'Lias,," said he, did you lose or
VIM"
lost, old fellew, lost"
How much?"
mo matter. But, by Jove! I'll be
even with 'em. If there's any game l
do understand. it's whist. I'll show
'em do. by hockey! before the even
ms over"
"You don't mean to say you're going
to risk more money!"
Certain sure. old fellow. Come
along"
Then you may count me out" said
Blivins, firmly.
Come, 'Lias-come. Mr.. What's
Your Name-your friend. there? All
hands on deck! Tumble up; tumble
up!" roared Capt. Hardcastle.
"He won't come" said Elias.
Thunder" roared Hardcastle.
Let him alone" said Capt. Bower.
glazing savagely at Blivins. 81 can't,
abide lubber that leads trumps after
my kicking his shins under the table.
I'd rather have an out-and-out dunn
my"
"All right, then" roared the captain.
"All hands on deck except the skulk-
err"
Blivins was left alone in the now de-
serted bar-room, watching the hands
of the clock drag themselves slowly
over the dial plate At ten Elias came
down looking very much flurried.
my luck's sure to turn. old fellow
Lend me ten dollars"
Mechanically Blivins drew out the
required sum. placed it in his friends
hand, and Elias darted upstairs again.
At eleven he reappeared with an
other requisition for the same amount
Not a cent" said Blivins, resolute-
ly.
Come, old friend" demonstrated
Elias.
Mary red" said Blivins. Now I've
the horse and sleigh.
rs. that your last word?"
Final"
81 never thought you'd go back on
me-a towny," said Elias.
Blivins made no rejoinder. His
face was set like a marble monument.
The sleigh bells were heard at the
door.
Elias skulked upstairs. He might
have continued to play with l. o. us,
but reason stepped in and saved him
from further folly.
He took leave of the "jolly dogs" up
stairs, who were now engaged In sing
ing I'VE Won't Go Home Till Morn
ing" stepped into the sleigh, handed
tip to the hostler. took up the lines,
and drove for couple of miles in ST.
Ience,
Then he said. rather sheeDishly:
81 done it for the best, old feller-I |
lone 1t for the best"
His attention was next directed to |
the actions of the horse: that unfor-
tunate animal evidently preferred |
walking to trotting, though he was
now heading homeward, and the ut |
most the carver" could accomplish |
was to rouse him into an intermittent |
scufIle. When they were within one
mile of Boston statehouse. the horse
stumbled and fell. All efforts to rouse |
him were in vain.
"pv Jovato criad Elias after an ex- |