Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1875 — A New Game. [ARTICLE]

A New Game.

‘ Since the recent deal in which clubs turned trumps, and the gay and festive bunko gang were obliged to leave town in coisequflnce, they have been obliged to report to other means of earning a livelihood,. and they have found them. Upon neflrjy every train leavingthis city go two or mort kard-shsrpere. The jpembers of this ancient fraternity work in pairs. Apparently ignorant efich of the other they play their cards well, and are . as'anxiaus to “ work” the train thoroughly as is the conductor, only, in a different and less authorized riianner. They ere on the lookout for “blokes” arid “softs”--inen that are'possessed of money and who Save a high estimate; own acuteness. And these “ mokes” are shrewd observers, and usually accurate judges of phyejognomy, too, and they can frequently estimate a man’s “ pile,”; too, within a few dollars. They Are proficient in “ stocking” cards, and in case of an emergency will * deal “ monte,” though that is not their ° lay.?’ They play a gentleman’* game—euchrem a game understood by every tyro in cardpfoying. And these euchre sharps have two'tricks, either of which is calculated to win. One is the “ poker” hand and the Other is the “ euchre” hand, and they play them «s follows? Deciding upon the Ydute the sharpers are at the depot promptly. Their makedp is unexceptionable, they are not flashy in their dress; and are, as a rule, genteel, in appearance, and there is little in externals to mark them as different from their fellow-travelers. There are two of them, but they pay little attention to each other. The casual observer would imagine them strangers. They ana, say, to. work the Michigan Southern to Toledo and return, and are impatiently awaiting their opportunity to begin business. Scarcely has the smoke and noise of the city been left behind when “time” is up. Two .seats facing each other have been secured, and one of the “ mokes” occupies them; the other saunters down the car aisle and, selecting his man, asks:

“Do you play euchre?” “ Sometimes,’’ “ Come and fill out a four-handed game, just to kill time.” • The invitation is accepted; another player is secured, and the game begins. Anything will answer as a table—a laprobe, a duster or a newspaper. Scarcely has the second hand been dealt than a dispute occurs between the “ sharps.” It is a good-natured dispute, however, one having asserted that a certain hand, both bowers and two other trumps, could be euchred. No decision is arrived at, and, the ice being broken, the vital point of the “ game” is reached. One of the sharpers deals, and hearts are turned trumps. The first man passes; so does the other sharper. The third man, having both “bowers,” queen and nine-spot of trumps and the ace of clubs, “orders it up” and “ plays it alone.” This is as was expected, and the dealer offers to bet twenty dollars the hand will be euchred. The parly folding it looks upon his hand as invincible; he has seen, the hand being displayed through carelessness (?), that his opponent’s partner has no trumps, and he accepts the wager. The first player leads a spade, which he trumps and the dealer over-trumps, providing neither “ bower” is played, and leads back. The result, whichever way the play is made, is the same, and he, with both bowers, queen and nine-spot of trumps-,and ace of clubs, is beaten. This accomplished, the game is certain to speedily end unless one of the strangers will bet on a “full hand” at poker, the dealer giving himself or partner “ fours.” In this event he or they ate good plucking. . • „ i r . "J • ° »■/ A. . J -jv UThis- simple game is played every day, d many times a day. It counts ite victims by thousands, and the Time# reporter was assured by a “ sport” who thus Works the Michigan Southern Road ttud he not infrequently made a couple of hundred dollarsaday. st mi Amateurs at card-playing will, therefore, do well to think a second time before accepting an invitation to “ take a hand” in a social game on the cars,M7Awopo Timet. . ’