Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-02-27
The Farmer From the
Richelieu River

lOriginall
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 game the proprie-
tor would accommodate him. One aft.
ernoon farmer whose llneaments
were French strolled into the place and
seemed greatly pleased with II.
Would you like to play gamer"
asked the proprietor.
The farmer admitted that he had
heard a great deal about billiards and
had come 90 Montreal especially to
play game. The proprietor called for
set Of balls. handed the farmer q cue
and. unlocking e. private rack. took
down bis own cue
How much you play forT asked the
farmer
II don't play for money"
What Nothing to max eet inter
estingT
IF you like wen play for refresh
ments."
Refreshments! What is thatT'
Drinks, cigars. anything you like"
"ver' well. How much de gamer
"Oh. well play till you are satisfied
that 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 wac
given the first shot. He took 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
:hen attempted to show the spectators
a very difficult round table shot, but,
having no incentive, played carelessly
and missed
go ahead" he said to bis opponent
you say we play till I am salts
fedT' he asked
THAT was the understanding"
II am satisfied. stop"
There was 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 his
presence. Then be 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 be could get odds Of A to l.
The expert, with we'll felgned 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 bis cue, looked |
at the balls and began to play. His
frst shot was difficult masse, with a
draw nearly the full length of the Ia
Bile. and he made 1t beautifully. From
that he proceeded to make one difficult
shot after another. always leaving the
balls in the position he desired. A
crowd gathered around. and 1t 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 ell the
points by difficult shots. He missed no
shot at all till he had counted 100
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
,aid to him:
"Now that you've been paid the bet
you won't mind telling us who
you are?''
az got leetle farm down on de Richie
leu riviere," said the farmer.
"Rats!' said his Questioner and. turn
ng OIL his heel. left the place. Then
he farmer called for refreshments and
invited his admirers to partake OF
hem.