The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-03-01


OF his head. That he looked mi'oer
and younger than he really was
may or may not have been us
fault-it certainly was not his mis-
fortune.
He had arrived two days previous
~ AT the little town of Coleman, 10
recuperate after a fatiguins "ih'e'
season.
Quite what his occupation was very
few people knew. He occasloha'ly
hacked horses-to lose; knew ie"
card tricks with which he amused
strangers; and good many more
which he neither showed to them nor
amused them with He was fairlY
good pigeon shot; and an eNcep'ioh'
ally clever billiard player
Coleman had been recommended 10
him by his bosom friend, Samuel Dug
ger. who was native OF the place
On this particular afternoon he was
gazing mildly at the 'Freemasoh
Hotel debating whether he Sho"iu
enter or not After Il Few minutes
cogitation he sauntered in, and maze
for the billiard room. -,
Calling for a scotch and soda ne III
a cigarette and stood watching pale
faced, lanky Individual awkwardlyA
knocking the balls about the table
DO YOU play" quericd that gentle
man, catching Mr.. Hardons interest
ed look
you can hardly call It playing
he replied, hesitatingly. Seeing ne
made a fairly comfortable living with
his billiards this was perhaps
fact Resides, I'm awfully out OF
practice"
Som l." confessed the young
man, Il was just knocking the balls
about TO see II ! remembered the
game
well don't mind trying my
hand" murmured Mr.. Harden.
Right" cried the young man.
briskly. What shall 1t be? FIFTY
up"
Fifty up? oh. that means we've
got to make 80 points doesn't ~"
Yes" said the young man, chalk
Ing the tip of his cue industrionsIy'
the man who makes 80 first wins
Il see, Which ball do | haveE
| I've almost forgotten.
About 20 minutes play, when the
game stood 10 to T., the young man
carelcssly suggested having a little
| something up on II.
We'll, I'm not u gambler, stated
| MIR Harden, but | don't mind half a
| dollar
Go ahead. then, it's your play
playing pingpong?" inquired n
gentleman who had entered whilst
the game was in progress, after the
two innocents had sent their balls
| On the floor half dozen times.
At the end of an hours play Mr..
Harden raced out n winner by 80 to
4G; and It is doubtful II he would
have wen 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 81
cents,
Don't forget they close at 49,
Extensively remarked the gentleman
who had been watching the game
q don't mind" answered Mr.. Har
don. ignoring this individual SAME
stakes?
Lets have decent bit up on II
this time, seeing we're about level
What do you say to ten dollars
Go 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 bat
players but | rather fancy the othe
chap is a bit better than you
You do, do you?" answered Mr.
Harden, blandly
'Yes And in spite of your win
ming the last game I'm ready to bacl
him"
Let me see." reflected Mr.. ilar
don, e won the game on strang
table"
} Then whatll you back him for?
he asked suddenly,
Same as the STAKES. Zen.
Done with you" said Mr.. Hardor
picking up his cue.
= The pale young man and his backe
: exchanged knowing glances.
Go IT," cried the former as hi
opponent bent over the table.
: And Mr.. Harden did go it, to tn
extent of making beautiful littl
break Of %.
, Here, what do you call this ?
, clustered the greasy gentleman.
(. billiards" said Mr.. Harden, mill
} ly. What did you think II was
5 Pingpong?"
\ Shut up. Barker" said the youn
: man, irritably you put me out"
s Gritting his teeth he surveyed Ii
y table darkly. The balls were too ba
ly placed for him to make NOR
than ten.
Muttering viclously, he gave plaC
y to Mr. Harden and watched that ge
:, tleman while he handled the bal
as Il they were alive.