The Match-box Trick.

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 1649, 28 June 1910, Page 4

The Match-box Trick.

HBp’ *. * |‘"(rOFF” AND A PARMER. Si ' ib *A few weeks ago two men were t standing in front of the Melbourne kv Post Office—one a farmer of nearly ~ 60 years of age, and the ether a man (ft ifith a soft hat on, apparently a lab * orer. They were both interested in locking at some drapings, when they got into conversation, with the result . that they strolled along the street and had several drinks. They lunched together "and pat in the afternoon looking round the city and confining themselves to general topics of interest, each being pleased to baVe met a congenial companion. Abont four in the afternoon the man with the

soft hat invited his friend into an hotel and called for drinks, and the; ' both sat in the corner of the room. Some time afterwards a stranger

entered the room. He was fashion--1 ably dressed, wore gaiters, half covering his boots, and had the appearance of a man of means. He threw himself on to a oouob, and called for a brandy and soda. He gave a slight groan, and. turning saw the two men in the corner of the room. “Oh ” he said, I thought I was alone. He then told them that he bad just arrived from America, and that during tbye voyage he had been well, but that as soon as he got ashore he became sick. Immediately he put bis handkerchief to bis month and rushed out of the room. When he returned be asked for a match to light a cigar, and one of the men gave him one. “ Talking about matches, said be," I have a box here which puzzles people to open it. Then the sickness came on him, and he again retired leaving the match box on the table. The man with the soft hat sugges-

ted to bis friend that they examine the box, which they did, and succeeded in opening it. They were jubilant over it, as they felt sure they could * take the “ toff” down. When the man of sickness entered the room again, he offered to bet them five shillings that they could not open the box. The man with the soft bat said, in an indignant manner, “ What do you mean ? Before you went out you wanted to make it £5,- but because yon can see that we are working men you think we are only worth five shillings. If you think we cannot raise £5 yon are mistaken.” » “ Sorry, indeed,” said the ‘ toff,’ “if I have offended you, but if you are game, here's my fiver.” The man with the soft hat put up his money, and duly opened the match-box after a little manoeuvring, much to the apparent surprise of the ”toff.” “ Ob,” said the latter, “ any fool could have opened that, as I see that 1 had not properly closed it.” He turned it over, made it click, and then challenged them to name a price. He placed bis handkerchief to bis mouth and made a hurried exit. The match-box was left on the table. The soft bat man picked it up, and the farmer also evinced interest in tbe box, and wanted to see tbe ‘toff’ taken down again. After some fiddling about, the box was opened. ••Now,” said the man who bad opened tbe box, ” we have a good thing on. I have £4O, and if you have a like amount, we can take that swell cove down for £BO, for yon saw how I opened the box.” The farmer, although not suspecting anything, said he did not want to bet on it, but as bis friend had done all the talking and risked his fiver before to take the • clever chap ’ down, he would be satisfied to see him win again.

The * toff’ entered, sat down, and commenced to smoke, taking no notice of the two men.

“ Well, what about this box,” said the man with the soft bat; “we can raise £BO between us.”

The farmer declined, and it was at this stage that he began to be suspicions. “ Very well,” said the ‘ toft,’ I will bet with one or both ; and if you don’t want to speculate perhaps yon would not mind holding the stakes.” This was addressed to the farmer.

The money was being counted, when the farmer pressed a button, summoning the proprietor. “ What is that for,” said his companion.

“ I am calling for drinks on the strength of the wager,” said the farmer.

The proprietor appeared, and the farmer explained that there was a bet on between the two men, and as he had been appointed stake-holder, he would like him to assist him in counting the money. But the proprietor and the farmer were nmy alone. The ‘ tofif ’ and the ir_-e ' U the soft hat had bolted. Sarmer related what had taken place, and the proprietor was anxious to know how much money he had lost, and when he was told he had not lost anything, he (the proprietor) said : You can consider yourself very lucky, as those two men uro the most notorious spielers in the city. When a bet is made with a man like yourself, the match-box, which has been in use, is cunningly got rid of, and a solid one substituted, which, of course, has no opening. The farmer admitted that if he had been a younger man he would certainly have speculated—and been left lamenting.