The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-05-25

I
the entrance and watch the result.
AS the dissatisfied spectators began
to steal out, mostly with indifference
or disgust, and sometimes angry disap'
polntment depicted in their faces, to
the cracked tones of barrel organ, the
| long-haired orator descended from his
temporary rostrum and dexterously
drew three cards from his pocket.
Gentlemen and ladies'" he eX'
claimed, patronizingly, holding up the
three cards to yiew-a queen, knave
and ace--'I am about showing you a
nice little game, where, if you are so
inclined, any one of you, or every one
of you, might make your fortunes in
an hour, providing your eyes are sharp
enough. Here it is"
And he opened his little game of
three-card monte by first exhibiting a
card, and then laying it carefully, face
down. on the barrel head, with corner
slightly bent, so that only very keen
observer would notice it. 1t was the
queen of diamonds.
He next showed up the knave of
clubs, and, laying that down by the
queen, followed the same formula with
the ace of spades.
He then adroitly commenced the pro-
cess of changing the positions of the
cards in a most rapid and tantalizinG
manner for a brief space, when ne alb
ruptly inquired if anyone could guess
which was the queen?
The sharp eyes Of the young farmers
wife We're upon him, and she had close
ly kept track of the queen from the
turned-up corner she had at first no
ticed.
81 CAM she cried, confidently, put
ting. herself forward among the crowd
of masculine lockers on, much to the
annoyance of the less demonstrative
Albert.
WELL" returned the sharper with
great urbanity, here is an opportunity
to win money if you are sure. There
is five dollars" he added, laying a
note representing the sum specified on
the barrel head, "that not one Of the
company present can point out the
queen among those cards."
The young woman stood fidgeting,
but I could tell by the expression in
her countenance that she still enter
tained mistaken confidence in her de-
tective powers.
No one, however, offered to accept
the wager.
WELL" said the sharper, after an
eloquent pause, II think you must all
be in independent circumstances in
this place, as none Of you care to make
money"
His restless eye roved from face to
face, as though he were taking brief
inventory of their thoughts, and finally
rested on the eager. excited features
of the young farmers wife.
do you think you can pick out the
queen, young woman"
"Yes, do" she answered, promptly
and with nervous confidence.
"Well, then, if you are quite sure
why do you not accept the wager"
She turned and whispered few
eager words to Albert, but the stolid
fellow shook his head obviously, as
though vaguely impressed with a faint
conception of something wrong.
ALBERT thinks I'd better not" she
replied, with disappointed look; "bu1
can tell you which card it is.'
BE kind enough, then, TO oblige us
by telling" said the sharper, blandly.
The young woman touched card
at the suggestion, and the gambler
turned it up.
1t was the queen of diamonds, sure
enough.
There" he said, with cool indiffer'
ence, you perceive how easily you
could have won."
The young wife threw a swift glance
| at Albert, half indignation, half trl
umph. as much as to say: There, you
stupid, Didn't tell you so:"
The adroit angler saw that his hooE
was baited, and he commenced manipu
lating the cards, seeming not to have
noticed the corner that was so slightly
| bent
He went through the same proceed
| ING as before, leaving the five-dollal
note where he had first laid 1t, and
turning toward his watchiul but still
confident victim:
DO You think that you can point i
out this time:'
The confident young woman, WHIT
saw the same corner turned up as be
fore, answered his question quickly il
the affirmative.
We'll, then, the offer is still open Il
whoever chooses to close with it,"
The young woman turned to her hus
band and whispered something in hi
ear.
| l could not qAite make it out, excep
from guesswork.
Albert shook his head. She expos
tulated.
He shook it again, and she grew i'm
patient-even angry-at the restraint.
II know which is the queen" she a
length said, with angry vehemence
land if you don't bet now. when yo'
are sure to win, l won't never"
But 1 never did bet" eNpostulate'
Albert, in seeming trepidation at tn
, haIf.avnrassad threat Of his indicnan