The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1909-06-16

to my breast that venerable was not
altogether a pure and innocent hearted
man, and I began to sit up and take
notice. We had $50 on the blanket
when I got straight flush in my
hand. I reasoned it out that If yener-
able was the man I now suspicioned
him to be he would have a hand OF
fours. The way he began to raise
me warmed the cookies Of my heart
and sent my sympathies pouring out
for the unfortunate. We were very
humble as we played. Outside Of our
raises we talked mostly Of orphans
and heathens and Of the Joy Of pre-
senting them the wherewithal to buy
winter underclothing and to indulge in
quail on, toast. BY and by, when the
pot amounted to 800 or more, vener-
able got scared and called my hand.
It was a proud moment for the hea-
then when laid down that straight
flush. It was a thing Of beauty. It
beat red wagon just out OF the paint
Shop. Fsr'a long minute the stranger
eazed Oh it, and then he precipitated
himself upon me and made use OF
words not known to the language OF
Greece in Its foremost days. 1t was
struggle for the right-that is, for the
privilege Of forwarding that hundred
bones to the spot where. it would do
the most good-and right conquered.
It always does II it has got the most
muscle behind it, though it may re-
ceive a black eye and skinned nose
in the conquering.
When had hammered old venerable
to my hearts content rose from his
recumbent carcass and gathered up the
spoils Of virtue and drove away. As I
drove many sayings came into my
mind and were uttered by my lips,
such as:
sHe who is armed with integrity can
suffer no defeat"
And likewise:
1.-THE guilty man overcometh him.
SELF"
And once more:
"He who buildeth on deception will
come to be tangled up among the
ruins Of his own house"
Any one knowing the address of an
African heather who is hard up will
do me favor by forwarding it. Give
postoffice box If possible. Meanwhile
the hundred will remain in my hind
pocket.
Enters Town Of Jump OFF.
I entered the town of Jump Of with:
a bird singing in my heart and the
glad thought in my soul that the world
had grown so per cent better since the
elections. But, alas, was to be
made the victim of mans wiles again.
The mayor Of the town came forward
and gave me the glad hand and ex-
tended the freedom Of the city, which
meant that I could drink in every sa-
loon in the place If had the cash to
pay for it. I had pitched my tent and
got ready to take tintypes at 10 cents
a take when old venerable, who had
revived and followed on, struck the
burg. He did not seek me out, as
one pilgrim should another, but went
to the mayor and declared that had
assaulted and despoiled him on the
highway. His honor called for my
side Of the story. Truth and integrity
showed so plainly in my face that he
could not doubt me. he offered to
boot old venerable out Of town If l
would share my winnings with him.
l could not consent. had played
poker from one Of the noblest senti.
ments that can actuate the human
heart, and did not wish to degener-
ate it into mere dross. 1 was given
ten minutes in which to make up my
mind and as remained steadfast to
principle, which means never let so
Of anything you've got into your pock-
ct, I was driven out Of the town in
ignominy and humiliation and made
to pass the night on the prairie In a
sobbing rainstorm. hugged that wad
Of greenbacks to my damp heart. how
ever. and felt that though mans inhu-
manity to man makes countless thou
sands mourn, as the family almanac
has it, $50 in cash goes long ways in
setting up mint julips in hot weather.
M. QUAD.