The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-11-28
The Farmer From the
Richelieu River

A finely, equipped billiard hall in
Montreal was kept by an expert with
the cue. Indeed. he held a champions
trophy. During the daytime there
were few people to use his tables. and
If any one desired a game the prOprie-
tor would accommodate him. One aft
ernOon farmer whose lineaments
were French strolled into the place and
9eemeu greatly pleased with it.
Would you like to play gamer"
asked the proprietor.
The farmer admitted that he had
heard great deal about billiards and
had come to Montreal especially to
,lly Il game. The proprietor called for
Il set of balls handed the farmer a cue
aAu. unlocking a private rack, took
down his own cue.
How much you play for?" asked the
farmer.
u don't play for money"
What! Nothing to max eet inter.
estingY'
IF you like We'll play for refresh
ments."
Refreshments! What is that?"
Drinks. cigars, anything you like"
"Ver' we'll. How much de gamer"
"Oh. We'll play till you are satisfied
that l can beat you"
Meanwhile several lOiterers gathered
around to see the expression that
would come over tie farmers face
when he saw the proprietor counting
as much as he liked. The farmer was
given the first shot. He took a long
time to make up his mind what to do
and when it was made up did great
deal Of saving with his cue. He
missed the shot he tried for, but
scratched" one point. The proprietor
then attempted to show the spectators
q very difficult round table shot, but,
having no incentive. played carelessly
and missed.
go ahead" he said to his opponent.
"You say we play till l am salts
hsdT' he asked.
THAT was the understanding"
81 am satisfied. l STOP"
There was a burst of Laughter from
the onlookers, for the "house" had lost
the refreshments.
Now, it happened that an amateur
player, an expert. was looking on who
was not as averse to betting money as
the proprietor. When the latter threw
down his cue and ordered the refresh
ments the expert went up to the farm
er with outstretched hand and told him
he was the cleverest countryman that
had ever honored Montreal with his
presence Then he offered to play him
friendly game for a nominal stake.
The farmer accepted. and the game be-
gan. The expert played as badly as he
could, but not badly enough to let tho
farmer beat him, which he intended In
order to draw his dupe into his net.
But the more the farmer lost the more
he insisted on playing further and. to
regain his losses. continually suggested
q raising of the stake till he had lost
In round numbers $3.50. Then he got
very much excited. Drawing wallet
from his pocket, he showed his enemy
$3.50 in bills, which he agreed to put up
in case he could get odds Of 4 to 1.
The expert, with we'll feigned reluc-
lance, at last agreed. and, getting the
money from the proprietor, the stakes
were placed in the latter's hands.
The expert won first shot and ran
So points. the game being 100. Then
the farmer chalked his cue, looked
at the balls and began to play. His
first shot was difficult EasSe, with q
draw nearly the full length Of the la
BILE, and he made it beautifully. From
that he proceeded to make one difficult
shot after another, always leaving the
balls in the position he desired.
crowd gathered around, and it was
soon apparent to them that no such
handling of billiard balls had ever been
seen in Montreal The game being
short one, it seemed that the player
was ambitious to make nearly all the
points by difficult shots. He missed no
shot at all till he had counted JOG
points and won $1,000.
From the moment the farmer made
the first shot the expert, who was the
best amateur player in the city, had
made up his mind that he had fallen
into his own trap. When the money
was paid over to the farmer the loser
said to him:
snow that you've been paid the bet
perhaps you won't mind telling us who
you areY'
IT got leetle farm down on de Richie
lieu riviere," said the farmer.
"Rats" said his questioner and, turn
ing on his heel, left the place. Then
the farmer called for refreshments and
invited his admirers to partake OF
them.
Now, there was a billiard match to
be played that night between the cham
pion of the United States from New
York and the champion Of France from
Paris. This was mentioned to the
farmer, and he manifested desire to
see the match. Promising to meet his
new made friends at the place ap-
pointed for the game, he left them to
20 to supper.