The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-04

sATIRIC CLEAN FLICKERED IN MoREAU'S
 BLACK EYES.
 and one that was a-coming to yoh. Allow me, suh, to drink to the turn in the tide" And, filling the others glass, he bowed with the most admi- rable courtesy and good feeling.
 "Yoh health, colonel" replied the other thickly, hopping his face with an immense silk handkerchief, "and my compliments foh the sentiment, sub. I can return them by adding that the tide had already turned even befoh had the pleasure and good for tune of making yoh acquaintance, suh. I reckon that, all in all, my trip to New Orleans this year has been very lucky-very lucky, suh-foh have sold my sugar crop foh ten thousand, a much higher figure than I reckoned, considering the poh price of cane. And my luck still follows me by per hitting this indulgence of my favorite game with gentleman, sub, of yOh standing. My plantation is at Plaque mine, and''-
 'HThe Randalls are we'll known, suh," Interrupted Moreau, with delicate def erence, which went to the point of re- filling the others glass-"the Randall, I presume, sub. who so distinguished himself at the defense of the Alamo P This was stated as a known fact rather than a chance shot, which in reality it was.
 My brother, suh," gravely replied the planter, tapping his ample breast as if in order to convey the sentiment that the same noble spark of heroism smoldered therein, awaiting but a fit ting opportunity of burning its own CTS name on the immutable pages of history. Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war;" he added oracularly, instinctively reaching for his glass, "and it was my fortune to stay at home and look after the planta- ton while my brother had it out with the Mexicans. If the Randalls are well known, suh, it is not through me- My yearly trip to New Orleans is the extent of my ,traveling, and my chil- dren, suh, have the felicity to regard me as the most guileless creation that the Almighty ever turned out. Bless their innocent hearts! They never sus- pect what a thoroughpaced man of the world I am. Why, suh, the advice they give me when start out on these trips would cover the late Lord Ches- terfeld with confusion, suh They warn me especially against gambling. My son Tom, you know, is just at that age when he thinks his father an anna teur in sin, suh, and, according to him, the river is paradise foh pirates''-
 Well, don't think he is far wrong" interrupted Moreau, idly shuffiing the cards. Naturally, this is the great est waterway in the world. Did yoh ever think of the wealth that passes down here from St. Louis to New Orleans, the fortunes that are lost and won?''
 Every one gambles on ihe Missis- sippi, suh, foh here the ladies-my compliments to them-must tempo rarily yield dominion. And of co'se, as thoroughpaced man of the world, suh, and one who has lived on the river foh over fifty years, recognize that yoh professional gamblers are an institution; but, bless me, I don't take my son Toms view of them. They gamble foh a living, yes, but believe they do so honestly, as yoh or l. We are a gambling nation, suh, foh we are young, red blooded and prosper ous, but our country is incapable of giving birth to man who deals off the bottom of the pack, who is afraid to meet fortune eye to eye Yoh agree with mo, suh?"
 ''As fellow patriot, yes-as a sane man, no," replied the other, the sa- tiric gleam again smoldering in the dead slag of his eyes. "Yoh have yet to be picked by brace Of these river yultures-they generally travel in pairs but as a man of the world, of co'se yoh would insta ntIy recognize them
 "Of co'se. suh." heartily agreed the other. Aside from all else, yoh pro fessional gambler may be remarked foh his lavish display of diamonds"
 "Yoh pardon, suh, but not always. l calculate that as a sman of the world yoh have heard of Cameo Kirby?'' smiled Moreau, again paying atten- tion to his companions glass.
 "Kirby? That's an old and honored name in Plaquemine, suh," replied MT. Randall, opening his coat and