Big Fred regarded him in amazement. “Why, whatever’s the matter?” he inquired. Then we told him who his opponent really was.
“Well, I’m d——d!” was all he could say.
The next day Lindrum made over eight hundred in one break in an exhibition match against a brother professional at Thurston’s, and Big Fred, who was present, called out rapturously at the conclusion of the play: “That’s the chap I gave ten start to and beat.”
Chorus of sceptics, who knew nothing of the previous day’s incident:
“Liar!”
Here is another billiard story, which so far as I know has never before appeared in print, but which was being retailed in all the bars in Melbourne at the time I was there, and which I was assured relates an actual fact.
Roberts was going to Melbourne to play Inman, and found himself stranded at Perth (Australia) with two days to wait for a boat. Accordingly, with an eye to business, he went into the billiard-room of the principal hotel there to see whether there was any chance of arranging an exhibition match.
Boy Marker (a smart, well-set-up lad): “Have a game, sir?”
Roberts: “No, thanks!”
B.M.: “Oh, come, now. Be a sport. I’ll give you fifty in a hundred.”