Evening journal., 1907-01-31
The Farmer From the
RicheIieu River
Ioriglnail


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 a farmer whose lineaments
were French strolled into the place and
seemed greatly pleased with It,
Would you like to play game:7
asked the proprietor.
The farmer admitted that he had
heard a great deal about billiards and
had come to Montreal especially to
play a game. The proprietor called for
a set Of balls. handed the farmer a cue
and unlocking private rack. took
down his own cue
How much you play for?" asked the
farmer.
- don't play for money"
"Whatl Nothing to max eet inter-
estingT'
IF you like wen play for refresh
ments."
''Refreshmentsl What is that7"
Drinks. cigars, anything you like"
"Ver' well. How much de game?"
"oh, Wen play till you are satisfied
that I can beat you"
Meanwhile several loiterers gathered
around TO see the expression that
would come over the farmers face
when he saw the proprietor counting
as much as he liked The farmer was
given the first shot. He took long
time to make up his mind what to do
and when 1t was made up did a 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
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 am salts
fed p he asked.
THAT was the understanding"
Il am satisfied. l stop"
There was a burst of laughter from
the onlookers, for the house" had lost
the refreshments.
Now, 1t 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 hiG
/ presence. Then he offered to play him
q 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 the
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
a raising OF the stake till he had lost
in round numbers $3.50. Then he got
very much excited. Drawing a 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 to 1.
The expert, with well feigned reluc-
tance, 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
63 points. the game being 100. Then
the farmer chalked his cue, looked
at the balls and began TO play. his
first shot was a difficult masse, with a
draw nearly the full length Of the ia
Bile. and he made 1t beautifully. From
that be proceeded to make one difficult
: shot after another, always leaving the
balls in the position he desired. A
crowd gathered around, and II was
soon apparent to them that no such
handling OF billiard balls had ever beer
seen in Montreal. The game being Z
short one. II seemed that the player
was ambitious TO make nearly all the
points by difficult shots. He missed nc
/ shot at all till he had counted 1oC
points and won $1,000.
From the moment the farmer made
5 the first shot the expert, who was th'
E best amateur player in the city, hat
; made up his mind that he had faller
; into his own trap. When the none,
{ was paid over to the farmer the losel
said TO him:
"Now that you've been paid the be-
perhaps you won't mind telling us wh'
you are?"
. "I got leetle farm down on de Richie
lieu rlviere," said the farmer.
"Ratsw said his questioner and, turn
ing on his heel. left the place. TheI
the farmer called for refreshments ans
2 invited his admirers 10 partake o
them.
}, Now. there was a billiard match Il
be played that night between the cham
d plon OF the United States from New
York and the champion Of France from
Paris. This was mentioned to tn
farmer, and he manifested a desire t
see the match. Promising TO meet hi
new made friends at the place ap
pointed for the game. he left them I
go to supper.
Meanwhile It was reported that la
noroux, the French champion, who ha'
been expected to arrive in the cit
during the day, had been detained
Those who had been amusing the farm
er from the "RichelIeu r'Viere" wen
to the hall. fearing that they might
deprived OF the expected treat. Blu
on reaching 1t they were inforhsad tha
Lanoroux had arrived, though only 4
time for supper. when a side doc
opened and the contestants appeare
those who had met the farmer were a: