certainly won the bet, he
had paid the stakes fifty times over. Now, as I heard the circumstance
from the jolly landlord himself, here it goes, just as I had it, neither
more nor less.

"One day, two smart young fellows entered the Franklin; they alighted
from a cab, and were dressed in the tip-top of fashion. As they were new
customers, the landlord was all smiles and courtesy, conducted them into
saloon No. 1, and making it up in his mind that his guests could be
nothing less than Wall street superfines, he resolved that they should
not complain of his fare.

"A splendid dinner was served to them, with sundry bottles of old wines
and choice Havanas, and the worthy host was reckoning in his mind all
the items he could decently introduce in the bill, when ding, ding, went
the bell, and away he goes up stairs, capering, jumping, smiling, and
holding his two hands before his bow window in front.

"'Eh, old Slick,' said one of the sparks, 'capital dinner, by Jove; good
wine, fine cigars; plenty of customers, eh?'

"Slick winked; he was in all his glory, proud and happy.

"'Nothing better in life than a good dinner,' resumed the spark No. 1;
'some eat only to live--they are fools; I live only to eat, that is the
true philosophy. Come, old chap, let us have your bill, and mind, make
it out as for old customers, for we intend to return often; don't we?'

"This last part of the sentence was addressed to spark No. 2, who, with
his legs comfortably over the corner of the table, was picking his teeth
with his fork.

"'I shall, by jingo!' slowly drawled out No. 2, 'dine well here! d---d
comfortable; nothing wanted but the champagne.'

"'Lord, Lord! gentlemen,' exclaimed Slick, 'why did you not say so? Why,
I have the best in town.'

"'Faith, have you?' said No. 1, smacking his lips; 'now have you the
real genuine stuff? Why then bring a bottle, landlord, and you must join
us; bring three glasses; by Jove, we will drink your health.'

"When Slick returned, he found his customers in high glee, and so
convulsive was their merriment that they were obliged to hold their
sides. Slick laughed too, yet losing no time; in a moment he presented
the gentlemen with the sparkling liquor. They took their glasses, drank
his health, and then recommenced their mirth.

"'And so you lost the wager?' asked No. 2.

"'Yes, by Heaven, I paid the hundred dollars, and, what was worse, was
laughed at by everybody.'

"Slick was sadly puzzle