The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-03-08

A BILLIARD BET !
Bv HARRIS DEEMS

Copyright 1906, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

VOpyFlSul, 1SVO, ID.
Mr. James Harden was mild
looking young man, with light sandy
hair carefully parted down the center
of his head. That he looked milder
and younger than he really was,
may or may not have been his
fault-it certainly was not his mis-.
fortune.
He had arrived two days previous
ly at the little town of Coleman, to
recuperate after a fatiguing winter
season.
Quite what his occupation was very
few people knew He occasionally
backed horses-to lose; knew few
card tricks with which he amused
strangers; and good many more
which he neither showed to them nor
amused them with. He was a fairly
good pigeon shot; and an exception
ally clever billiard player.
Coleman had been recommended to
him by his bosom friend, Samuel Dug
ger, who was a native of the place.
On this particular afternoon he was
gazing mildly at the "Freemason
Hotel debating whether he should
enter or not. After a few minutes
cogitation he sauntered in, and made
for the billiard room.
Calling for scotch and soda. he lit
a cigarette, and stood watching a pale
faced, lanky individual awkwardly
knocking the balls about the table.
DO you play?' queried that gentle
man, catching Mr.. Hardon's interest
ed look
You can hardly call it playing"
he replied, hesitating1y. Seeing he
made fairly comfortable living with
his billiards, this was perhaps a
fact. Besides, I'm awfully out of
practice
"So'm l." confessed the young
man; Il was just knocking the balls
about to see if l remembered the
y game"
We'll, l don't mind trying my
hand" murmured Mr.. Harden.
Right" cried the young man,
briskly. what shall it be? Fifty
up?"
Fifty up? Oh. that means we've
got to make so points doesn't it?'
Yes said the young man, chalk
ing the tip of his cue industriously;
''the man who makes so first wins"
Il see! Which ball do 1 have?
I've almost forgotten"
About 20 minutes play, when the
game stood 10 to u, the young man
carelessly suggested having little
something up on it.
We'll, I'm not a gambler" stated
Mr.. Harden, "but l don't mind half a
dollar"
go ahead, then, it's your play"
"Playing ping-pong?' inquired
gentleman who had entered whilst
the game was in progress, after the
two innocents had sent their balls
on the floor half a dozen times.
At the end o; an hours play Mr.
Harden raced out a winner by so to
46; and it is doubtful if he would
have won then had not the pale-faced
young man sent his last two balls on
the ground.
Let's have another game" sug-
gested the loser, paying over his so
cents.
Don't forget they close at 49,"
extensively remarked the gentleman
who had been watching the game.
Il don't mind" answered Mr.. Har-
don, ignoring this Individual Same
stakes?"
Lets have a decent bit up on it
this time, seeing we're about level.
What do you say to ten dollars?"
60 ahead, then,' said Mr.. Harden.
"See here" exclaimed the specta-
tor who by his greasy appearance
seemed to be butcher, addressing
Mr.. Harden, you're both pretty bad
players, but rather fancy the other
chap is bit better than YOU"
"You do, do your" answered Mr..
Harden, blandly.
YES! And in spite of your win
ming the last game I'm ready to back
him."
Let me see," reflected Mr.. Har.
don, II won the game on a strange
table,"
Then what'll you back him for?"
he asked, suddenly
Same as the stakes. Ten"
Done with you," said Mr.. Harden.
picking up his cue.
The pale young man and his hacker
exchanged knowing glances.
go it," cried the former as his
opponent bent over the table.
And Mr.. Harden did "go it" to the
extent of making a beautiful little
break of %.
Here. what do you call this?"
clustered the greasy gentleman.
billiards." said Mr.. Harden. mild.
ly. What did you think it was?
Ping-pong?"
Shut up, Barker" said the young
man, irritably, ''you put me out"
Gritting his teeth he SURVEYED tho
table darkly. The balls were too bad
ly placed for him to make more
than ten.
Muttering viciously, he gave place