“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 puzzled; the young men had been laughing, they were now talking of a bet, and he knew nothing of it.  He was mightily inquisitive; and knowing, by experience, that wine opens the heart and unlooses the tongue, he made an attempt to ascertain the cause of the merriment.

“’I beg your pardon, gentlemen, if I make too bold; but please, what was the subject of the wager, the recollection of which puts you in so good a humour?’