Hinky-Pinky-Piky-Poo

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1921, Page 4

Hinky-Pinky-Piky-Poo

(By G. T. Crook.) The races over, vast crowds rush to the railway station and pack the trains, which move off one after the other in rapid succession. There are i bookmakers ahd backers, winners and losers, and always a large selection of “green” material ignorant of the ways of the wolves in sheep’s clothing. “Here you are, sir,” says a kindly disposed old gentleman leaning out ol a carriage window. “Just room for one. We want to keep out the racing riff-raff and have a quiet journey back. The individual thus' addressed welcomes tlie invitation, takes bis seat among other sedate passengers, and the old gentleman, after locking the carriage door, settles comfortably in his corner, and reads. Conversation on topical events is tardily opened as the train leaves the station. England are not having all the luck at cricket in Australia. Terrible lot of unemployment. Govern* ment waste. Not many roughs at the races, thank goodness- “ Did you win much?” asks one. “Unfortunately I lost a century or so,” says another. “I seldom go to 1 e races. I have my own business to attend to.” The last comer is also approached. Yes; he won a trifle, and managed to bring off a five to four chance in the last race. The others (all confederates) know for certain that he has money in his pockets. A passenger who has hitherto remained silent now joins in. He is portly and genial. i “I’ve lost a bit to-day,” he says, hut I shall get it all hack to-morrow. You meet me in Tattersall’s and back me. Aleanwhile, I’ll show you an ■ amusing little game. It’s called —let , me see, what is it R Oh yes, 1 reroem- ] her—Hinky-Pinky-Piky-Poo, or Ibsic j Boxsie. Bless my life! Where are they?” • lie laboriously searches his pockets, j and at length produces four cards — j three with blank faces and one with a I picture of C-arpentier in fighting attij tude. ! “Eyes versus hands,” he continues. “If your eyes are quicker than my hands you win every time. AH you have to do is to find Carp-’n-teer.” : And he throws the cards face downwards on his outspread mackintosh. 1 Bank-notes and Treasury notes are put down as the cards are deftly manij pulated. “Oarp-’n-teer” is found now and then, and the winners are promptly paid. Yes, it is an amusing game, and everybody enjoys it., especially when the selected victim joins in. Aon understand what happens to him. He i- the “can” and loses all his money. “Well, gentlemen,” says the card juvLrlor as the train reaches its destination, “I hope 1 have amu vet! you. At anv rate 1 have not abused you, Goodnight, gentlemen.” He hops out of the train, to he joined later by bis confederates, who divide the spoils of what they euphemistically call “the day’s work.” | Hinky-Pinky-Pikv-Poo, or lbsie ! Boxsie, the latest variation of the three-card trick, is a sure winner.