The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-02-16

, cents day ne was provided with a
bed, warmth and the daily papers. In
the papers he studied the want ad-
refreshments I'm the hope OF finding a
market for his limited talents
Finally. a fortnight 20 a day after
his arrival I'm Chicago, and on just
sucn another afternoon as that TO
which he had awakened after his
night OF faro, Swell crept, wet and
miserable, but outwardly prosperous
and set-possessed. into a little pool
room on the South Side In search
or warmth and entertainment Swell
loved billiards and pool, and was no
mean player. He found a vacant chair
and settled down TO watch the games.
me proprietor, a shifty-eyed little
Italian glanced at his wet clothes sus-
piciously. but Swell. even when Fate
was dealing most harshly with him,
managed 10 retain something of that
guise OF manner and breeding which
had always been his most valuable
asset
After a while the place began TO
thin out. When the last two players
returned their cues to the rack and
left their table Swell looked at the
clock. Ii was almost ESQ Some
thing besides the clock told him that
II was dinner time, and he was get
ing up TO go when the door opened
10 admit a newcomer. He was big
well, but somewhat fiashily dressed
man Of fifty-odd years, with a very
black moustache that Swell decided
had been recently dyed. The new
conner seemed disappointed 10 find the
room so empty. He spoke 10 the pro-
prietor, hung his dripping raincoat on
hook, selected a cue and Chalked it.
You can tell a good deal about a
players prOwess by the way he han
dies his cue. even before be lays il
over the rail. and Swell mentally put
the man with the dyed moustache
down as good. Consequently ne hest
tated the fraction OF a second when,
presently, the newcomer looked over
at him and asked. "Play?"
Swell wanted to play, but ne
couldn't AFFORD to lose. Stll, a cou-
pie of games at five cents each
wouldn't break him if il came to pay
ing. and 50 he nodded and found a
cue
for break?"
Swell nodded again, pushed his BAH
TO the top cushion, won ana broke.
His adversary pocketed FIVE and Swell
cleaned off the table.
HUH" said the other. Have a
cigar?"
swell thought ne would. 1t was a
good cigar, and Swelrs spirits bright
ened.
play you for a quarter" said the
otner.. swell nodded.
The man with the dyed moustache
won.
one each" said Swell earelessly.
as he chalked his cue.
Quarter again." asked the man.
Swell nodded. The other didn't hear
his sigh OF relief. Swell won that
game and the next one His oppo-
nent was good, but no better. and
! Swell knew that ne could win nine
games out Of ten. But he didn't al
low the other 10 share that knowI-
/ edge. He took good care to win by
one ball, or two at the most. and
the other man seemed always on the
point OF victory. After the fourth
game the man with the dyed NOUS
tache grew nettled.
Say, you're pretty good son" ne
SAID, but you certainly do have all
fired luck. III play YOU best two out
| OF three Tor a dollar game. What
do you say?"
After an appearance of hesitation
! swell agreed. He lost the first game
and won the second and third. Then
he started TO put up his cue. But the
other man wasn't satisfied.
Here. don't hurry off," ne said
You haven't got all my money vet. =.
lie drew out a fat roll and peeled of
ter he said. TAKE IL out OF that. %
He tossed one of the bills across the
table. lie laid the second ON the rail
And I'll play you two out OF three
for this" Swell nodded.
Wen, I'm hungry, and it's past my
dinnertime." he said. but TN STAY
with you for that. HI. Cap" he called
10 the proprietor. bring q couple of
cigars; two for a quarter" When they