The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-06-23

CHAPTER "
a Game Of Cards.

"A Game Of Cards. 4
Francois Beaupre-Le Francois OF
vicques sober, laborious, had in him
certain pig-head edness, and also
vein Of the gambler which had swollen
with use; yet because it had so far
brought him only good luck the neigh
bors called this good judgment He
was dealer in working oxen; he
bought and raised and sold them, and
only his wife knew what chances he
often took in buying young beeves. 1t
was simple solid form of speculation,
yet it was that.
On q day in September he left Vic
Ques early In the morning to drive to
the market in Delesmontes, a league
distant, two pairs of oxen which he
had bought as calves for almost moth
ing from poor stock out of farm
leagues away. He had fed and trained
and cared for them till now they were
all well set-up and powerful and
smooth-working-ready to sell for a
good price. At the market he found
that there were few oxen to be dis
posed of, none which compared to his,
and his ideas of value went up-he
would get nine hundred francs for
them, which delayed the sale.
So 1t came to be, by the time his
bargain was closed, three o'clock in
the afternoon, and he had had no din
ner. With the cattle off his hands
and the money in his pocket he felt a
/ of lnic 4F Inn.
CRY as wolf he felt also, and he
turned into the inn of Delesmontes,
where the sign of a huge bear, cut out
of tin and painted black, swung before
the door.
waitress approached him-a SOM
melliere in her short calico skirt
and white apron, her hair done in the
picturesque fashion of the place. The
girl toak his order; as she turned to
go man just coming in knocked
against her, and apologizing with
many words, caught sight of Francois.
Good day!" he saluted him heartily.
Good day, Monsieur Beaupfe," and
Francois, friendly always, answered
Good day." but with reserve, for he
did not recall the man. "You don't
remember me? That is natural, for
we met but once. Yet 1 have not for
gotten you. 1t was at the house of
my cousin, Paul Noirjean of Devillier.'
Now Paul Noirjean was an old &C.
quaintance and a solid man, and
though Beaupre did not see him often,
living six leagues away, he respected
him highly. A cousin of his was to be
considered, and Francois was embar.
raised that his memory could not
focus on the meeting. He tried to
cover this with cordially, and invited
the stranger to share his meal.
mot at all, not at ALL" the Other
answered. "Yet we must have bottle
! of wine together, but it shall be my
bottle"
Francois objected; the man insisted
At length: See, we will play cards
for that bottle" the unknown man sug
gested, and the cards were brought
and game of La rams-euchre-
in progress in two minutes.
Meanwhile the wine had come, ant
Francois, a touch more generous ant
more cordial for it, was genially sorr!
when he won and the stranger mus
pay.
y ."Tiens! We will play again for an
other BOTTLE" he announced with hi
of swagger. He was conscious of ;
!, right to spend silver in treating hi
friends, with that fat purse in hi
pocket.
NO." spoke the stranger-Duplessis
: he had said his name was. mo. 1 hav
? drunk enough. However, If you fee
sensitive at taking the small sum o
money at my hands-it is goo
l game-La rams-let US play for tn
. franc which the bottle would cost. e
bien!" ~
Again they played, this time dout
: ling the amount, and, again Francoi
gained, and again and again, till h
felt ashamed in carrying away all thi
money of a new acquaintance, and q
Z the same time a cock.sureness that s.
l. lucky a devil as Beaupre might wei
lose little and stop at the RICH
d amount. The excitement of cards an
excitement of wine met in heady NH
ture; Duplessis drank little, thong