Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/71

Rh but all would not do, though the countryman "stood it like bricks and mortar," he won the odds upon that game, which was too palpably gone at the moment to be mistaken for a win. Need the reader be told that he lost in the sequel? He lost four games "successfully" (successively,) "all hand running." I myself tried on the noodle for a tizzy or two: he got the wrong side of the post there too; and if I had chosen to be sweet upon him, I might have drawn him something handsome, for he was ready tip; but I had better business in hand, as the others had shortly after, when the stage coach drove into the yard, each man putting his hand (of cards) into his pocket, as he sallied forth. The hanger-on, however, first taking a survey through the windows before he went out, and as for me, I was stagging the whole party; but can take upon myself to say nothing was then done; for had there been, I should have split and turned honest, as is usual.

"Do you know him in the new corderoy jacket?" asked the tap-keeper of me; "he with the large gilt buttons?"—"I think I have seen him at play before," I answered, cautiously; adding I "wonder what post he fills here?"—"What post!" echoed the tap-keeper; "do you not think that