LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1789, 14 November 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE MAGIC CUE, ( Concluded.) We played a second game, in which I was again victorious ; and again I saw that I had been permitted to win through the grace of my antagonist’ ‘ Maybe you might give the stranger a few points,’ suggested Scripture George. ‘We also allow that it is more blessed to give than to git—don’t we, Billings V But I assured my admirer that the stranger was more than my match'at even points, and so we continued our play. Other residents of Carson City began to drop In, and we were soon surrounded by a thoroughly interested, if not over-critical crowd of spectators. We played in all eleven games. Seven of these I won; but at the end I was more completely convinced than ever that the stranger might have beaten me every time had.he]chosen to do so.

During the next week I crossed cues daily with my unknown rival. A majority of the games were scored to my credit, but it was always with the unsatisfactory feeling that I had been permitted to win. The stranger spent the greater part of his time In the Ivory. He gave the name of Richard Pizarro, spoke indefinitely of his having drifted to Carson City from San Francisco, but, beyond this, volunteered no information regarding his personal affairs. He appeared to have plenty of money, spent it freely, was always quiet and polite, and speedily won the esteem 'of ■ Scripture; George and other prominent residents of Carson City. Before ho had been in the town twenty-four hours he was christened Dandy Dick, and thereafter was spoken of by no other name.

I think it was Connecticut Bill who first proposed a match game of billiards between Dandy Dick and me. So evenly matched as we apparently were, it was not surprising that the gambling propensity of Carson City should assert itself in this direction. Against my earnest protest, a number of the leading citizens took the matter in hand. The views of Dandy Dick were sounded by Soriptnal George, They were found to be entirely in accord with the proposition. ‘Just to give it a little interest, you know, we might make it for a hundred a side,’ suggested Connecticut Bill. ‘ If we are to play for money at all,’ rejoined Dandy Diok, ‘let ns make it an object. What do you say to a thousand a side?’

This proposition,'Jmade with the utmost coolness, caused the prominent residents of Carson city to look at one another in doubt. Finally, Scripture George, turning the quid of tobacco reflectively in his mouth, remarked :

•If that is your raise, wo will cover it. Agree with your adversary quickly, and never let him bluff you out of the pot. Thom is the sentiments of this community.’ So it was settled that I was to play'the stranger six hundred points up for a thousand dollars a-side. Scripture George became my chief backer, with a number of the other prominent residents of Carson city more or less interested in the stakes. Dandy Dick backed 'himself. The money was duly deposited with Judge Hastings, the most respected magistrate on the Carson city Bench, and all necessary preliminaries having been perfected, the players were given three days for practice. That I improved this time to the utmost I may say in all truth, but that I was exceedingly apprehensive of the result of the contest was something which I did not seek to conceal from my friends and backers. I had protested in all earnestness against the match, and had done my best to convince Carson city that the stranger had been purposely holding back his strength in order to win the stakes. I repeatedly declared that I was not able to play against Dandy Dick —that the man could discount me if he chose, and that it was throwing away money to risk it on my chances of beating the stranger. But the sentiment of Carson city was not to be moulded by argument. Carson city had seen tho stranger play, and hud made up its mind that I could vanquish him. Firm in this faith, Carson city had put up its money on mo, and there was really nothing left for me to do but go in and play my best. ‘lt is hard,’ remarked Scripture George, ‘to kick agin the pricks, but its considerable harder to kick agin the opinion of this hyar community.’ That settled it. I ceased to kick.

The match was fixed for a Saturday night. I continued my practice faithfully up to Friday evening, and then reaolvfcd not to touch a cue again until the decisive hour. It has always been a belief of mine that a man does himself more harm than good by overpracts'ng at the last moment. Tho Ivory was usually kept open until two o’clock in the morning, but on that Friday I insisted upon closing at midnight, in order that I might get a good night’s rest. Somewhat reluctantly, my patrons withdrew, and, having fastened the doors, 1 proceeded to turn down the lights and prepare for bed. My sleeping-apartments were directly over tho billiard-room, with which they were

connected by a flight of stairs. Billings boarded near the Ivory, and had gone with the others. I was just taming down the last lamp when a faint knocking at the door attracted my attention. Leaving the lamp burning, I went to answer the summons. * Who is there ?’ I asked. ‘ Somebody who wishes to see yon very much.’ The voice was unfamiliar, and the words were spoken in a nervous, half-frightened tone. I drew back the bolts, opened the door, and admitted my unknown visitor. As nearly as I could discern in the dim light, this visitor was a boy, roughly dressed, but with a singularly delicate lace. * What is it ?’ I asked, holding the door half open. ‘ Bolt the door and I will tell you,’ was the answer. I did as directed, and led the way towards the lamp. As the light fell upon the face of my companion, I started back in surprise. This was no boy. The white throat, the fall bosom, the broad hips and the dainty feet, made mockery of the man’s dress. _ My visitor was a woman —young and strikingly beantiful. Her long black hair bad been caught up in a knot under a slouched hat, which shaded but did not conceal the flashing eyia and delicately penciled brows. I could only stare at her in blank wonder. 1 You see through my disguise,’ she began, in a low hurried tone. *lam a woman. No matter how I came here or who I am, I came to do you a service—to save your life. You are to play a game of billiards tomorrow night with a man calling himself Richard Pizarro. Do you want to win that game ?’ ‘I certainly do,’ I answered, more and more mystified. * I can tell you how to do it,’ she went on, her voice falling almost to a whisper. * You have only to play with the cue which Richard Pizarro caniea with him, and the game is yonrs. With that cue you can beat anybody you can win any game you please ! ’ I looked into her big, flashing eyes with an expression on my face which must have reflected the thought that was passing in my mind.

■You think that I am mad,’ she continued, with a faint smile. ‘ Perhaps my words sound as if I were, but there is no madness in what I tell you. If you want to win the game you must play with Pizarro’s one!’

‘But how am Ito get possession of it ?’ I asked. * The one belongs to him, and he never plays with any other.’ ‘ That is what I have come to tell yon. But remember this—if yon beat him he will kill you! ’ ‘ And if I don’t, perhaps the residents of Carson City will take it upon themselves to do the same thing 1’ ' You would win the game, then, if you could?’

‘ Certainly I would.’ The girl glanced nervously 1 about the room, and then continued : * Will you get me a sixteen-ounce cue—one with rather a small round tip ?’

I went to the nearest rack, and after some search found a cue which answered this description. She took it, and after a critical examination, said that it would do. Then she drew from her pocket a new tip, a silver plate carved so as to fit on to the handle of a cue, and what appeared to be a piece of red glass, some throe inches long and an inch wide. Next she produced a small pocket rule and a lead pencil. With great nicety she measured off two spaces on the handle of the cue, in one of which she marked out the shape of the silver plate, and in the other that of the oblong piece of glass. • You must take these,’ she said, * and insert them in the places I have marked. The silver plate will be held by these little nails; the glass yon must fasten with glue. The work must be done nicely, and it must be done to-night. Use this tip in place of the old one. When you have completed all, polish the cue with this liquid”—she placed a small vial on the bar— 1 and keep it hidden until the game.’ ‘ And what then 1’

«Then you must rely on your cunning to exchange this one for Pizarro’s. It will resemble his so closely that he cannot detect the difference. With Pizarro’s cue once in your hand, the game is yours. You have only to grasp the handle so that your fingers will press the inlaid stone, of which this red glass is an imitation, and you can make any shot you please. When you'choose to miss, take your fingers off the stone. I have told you all now, and I must go. If you follow the directions, you will win the game ; but if you do win it, remember that a desperate villain will do his best to kill you.’ The girl turned towards the door. Amazed beyond expression at her strange words, at her singular disguise, and at the mystery of her coming, I could only draw back the bolts in silence. She laid her small hand upon my arm a moment and whispered : ‘ Promise me that you,will keep this visit a secret!’

* I promise;!’ With that she glided through the open door, and was lost in’thejiblaoknesa of .the night. Had I followed any of those learned professions for which I was originally designed, I should consider it incumbent upon me to attempt some analysis of my feelings at that moment. As It is, however, I need only record the simple fact that, instead of going to bed to refresh myself for the coming match, I spent that night in decorating the one with the silver plate and a piece of glass. Carson City arose to a full consciousness of the importance cf that game of billiards. Long before nine o’clock, the hour fixed for the match, the Ivory was crowded. All the most distinguished citizens were present. By removing two of the tables, sufficient room was obtained to accommodate those most deeply interested in the contest. The others were content to stand about the bar, and oven outside the building. Scripture George and Connecticut Bill occupied the most desirable seats—two kegs near the head of the table. Judge Hastings, as the most illustrious embodiment of Carson City justice, was chosen referee. Umpires were voted unnecessary. At eight o’clock Dandy Dick made his appearance and was vociferously cheered, notwithstanding the sympathies of the crowd were wholly with me. He carried his cue with him, as he had Invariably done since his first visit to the Ivory. I scanned it eagerly, and saw the glistening silver plate, and the inlaid stone on the handle. Then, in a state of extreme nervous excitement, I waited my opportunity. It came sooner than I had any reason to hope. Four-fingered Harry Insisted upon treating the participants in this Important affair, as he expressed Is. Dandy Bick and Judge Hastings were accordinglng conducted to the bar, and it would have been worse than useless for me to have refused to join them. * You must take something,’ said Fourfingered Harry, ‘ if it ain’t nothing but lemon-juice. I’m going to drink with you, certain 1' Dandy Dick held his cue in his hand as he stepped to the bar. I had just taken mine from the covered rack, where it had remained through the day,j and, holding it close to my side, I made my way to the bar. Dandy Dick called for brandy, and rested his cue against the edge of the bar while ho poured out the liquor. I stood at his right hand, and Judge Hastings at his left. The cue was on my side. As he turned for a moment to touch glasses with the judge, I seized the unguarded one and put my own one in its place. It was the work of an instant. The next he turned and snatched up the cue, as if suspicions of my intentions. 1 could feel my heart thumping like a steamengine as I watched him ; but I saw that ha had not discovered the change. After that I yielded my temperance principles and drank, not lemon j nice, but a half glass of raw brandy. At five minutes to nine J nogs Hastings mounted a barrel and announced that the game was about to begin. < It’s for a thousand dollars a side, gentlemen, and you’ll be good enough not to spit towards the table." Just then Scripture George touched me on the shoulder and beckoned me to follow him. Along with Connecticut Bill he led the way to a little ante-room just back of the bar. which I called my office, When he had shut the door he said — * Mr Preston, Connecticut Bill here and me has alers stood by you, as you know. We have received you into the first society of Carson city, and have set yon up, so to speak, in business. Wo allow that you are no sardine at billiards, and we have backed you on this game to the extent of our last dollar. Now, what we want to say to yon, kindly like, is this : You musn’t go back on us. You mustn’t lose this game. We are peaceful citizens, Connecticut Bill and me are, but If you lot that Dandy Diok beat

you ’ Scripture George here produced a navy revolver and tapped the barrel impressively— “If you let him beat you, I say, this here saloon will be for sale in a very short time. You ketch the idea? If you lose this match you will take a short out for that place where, as we are informed, there ain’t any matches made.’ Scripture George returned his revolver to its belt, emptied his month of its charge of tobacco-juice, and silently led the way out of the ante-room.

Many greater games of billiards have been played than that memorable one between Dandy Dick and me ; but I doubt if ever, anywhere, at any time, the ivory balls have rolled under such terribly momentous surroundings. For me, at least, the stake was for more than the thousand dollars. It was more, even, than the reputation of Carson city. I was playing for rny life Even the advocates of total abstinence might, under the circumstances, have pardoned the second drink of brandy which I took.

Play began at five minutes past nine. Dandy Dick won the lead and scored twelve. I watched him narrowly, and ssw that he had not detected the change of cues. When I stepped to the table for my first inning, it was as if in a dream. I saw the balls indistinctly f I heard indistinctly the cheering of the crowd. A dim sense of having been through the same thing before ; a lingering memory of the big, flashing eyes which had looked into mine the preceding night ; a Strangs feeling as of doubt regarding my own identity—this, as nearly as I am able to do it, describes my condition. I purposely selected a shot which seemed to me impossible, pressed my fingers against the inlaid stone, and shot blindly- The ball took three cushions and counted. From that moment my faith in the magic one was implicit. Nor did it ever once fail me. Whatever the positions of the balls, I bad only to press the stone to count. Very evenly did the game progress until the score marked five hundred and ■ ighty to five hundred and sixty-five in Pizarro'a favor. I had watched him closely throughout the game, and I had seen that his hand had never once rested upon the inlaid glass In the perfect confidence of victory, he had relied thus far upon his skill alone. But now, when he came to the table for the last time, his fingers were pressed upon the piece of red glass. He made the stroke with careless ease, but with the absolute confidence of counting. And he failed. I saw his face turn deadly pale, and his eyes flash with a strange fire. He reeled rather than stepped back from the table, lifted the cue and looked at the piece of glass, and then rivetbed his gaze upon me. I felt that the decisive moment had come. With my hand upon the stone, I began to play rapidly and, recklessly, but every stroke counted. ‘ five hundred and ninety-eight !’ cried Billings, who acted as marker. The room was still as death, I conld feel the eyes of Pizarro glaring upon me as I bent over the rail for the lastlshot.

‘ Six hundred, and game !’ shouted Billings. A great cheer went up from the assembled crowd. Soiipture George and Connecticut Bill hugged each other in an ecstasy of delight. I saw Judge Hastings mount the barrel and vainly endeavour to make himself heard above the babel of voices. I ssw Fon*fingered Harry executing a double shuffle near the table I saw hats thrown into the air, and [heard the wild yells of the halfcrazed crowd; and then, suddenly, I saw Pizarro spring towards ms] as a springs on his prey. * Betrayed 1’ he hissed between his clenched teeth.

Quick as lightning, |he wrenched the cue from my grasp, and levelled a pistol at my head. But as he pulled the trigger Billings struck his wrist a sharp, upward blow, and the bullet sped wide of its mark. With a loud curse, be turned and dashed towards a window at the rear of the room. He dropped the pistol, but held fast to the cne. The window was partly open. Like a wild beast, he threw himself against the sash, and, amid a shattering of glaa°, disappeared. All this had happened in less time than it takes to relate it. For a moment Carson City was stunned. The next a score of pistols were whipped out, and a general rush was made towards the door. • Run down the skunk!’ shouted somebody. This voiced the sentiment of the crowd, who, with a yell, started in pursuit. But the night was dark, and Pizarro had a good three minutes’ start. His pursuers, by the light of lanterns, found a trail of blood which led from the window to a point some three hundred feet distant; but here, where the man had evidently taken to the road, all trace was lost. The chivalry of Carson City scoured the town and its outskirts for hours, but all to no purpose. The night had swallowed up the fugitive, He had gone as swiftly, as mysteriously, as he had come. The secret of bis identity, which he had kept inviolate during his sojourn in Carson City, was not disclosed at his going. But just at dawn the next morning Scripture George came into the Ivory and woke me out of the restless sleep into which 1 had fallen. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘want you to go with me.’ ‘ Have you found him ?’ I asked. ‘ Not exactly. But I’ve run agin something that he left behind I’ I followed my friend out of the saloon, along the main street of the town, and into a lonesome spot near the of the city, known as Deadman’s Gulch. It was a long walk, but Scripture George spoke never a word from the time of leaving the Ivory, He led the way down the Gulch to a clump of stubby evergreens which seemed to shoot out of the solid rock. There, in the grey of Jthe early morning, lying with upturned face on the damp stones, was the body of a young woman. She had exchanged the man’s rough garb fer the habit of her sex, but I should have known her it only by the big glazed eyes, lustreless nowin death’s stare. The crimson Hush of the breaking day began to deepen. The air was like wine, and a robin whistled merrily overhead.

* He done It !’ said Scripture George at last. ‘ Maybe she loved him once. Maybe he Jmisused her and drove her wild like. And then he killed her. If it had been yon or Connecticut Bill, or even me, what would it a mattered ? But to kill her—Mr Preston? Do yon notice as how she’s looking np —up thar ? That’s where she’s gone, and it come to me like that it’s a better place for her than Carson city.*