Who Saw The Steer?--the Richest

ihing of the soason, says the Novv buryport Herald, camo off the other day in the neighborhood of the market. The greenest Jonathan imaginable, decked out íq a slouched hat, a long bluo frock, and a pair of cowhide shoes, big" as góndolas, with a huge hip under his arm, stalked into a billiard saloon, where half a dozen persons were improviog the timo io trundling round the ivories, and after recovering from his flret serprise at the, to him singular aspect ol the room, inquired if any of 'm had seen a stray steer," affinning that tho blasted critter got away as he carne through town with his drove t'other day, and he hadn't seen nothin' on him since.' The bloods denied all knowledge of the animal in question, and with much sly winking at each other, proceeded to condolo with him on his loss in the most heartf'elt rnanner. He watched the game with much interest, as he had evidently nover seen nor heard of anytbing of the kind bef'ore, and creaied much amusement by his demonstrations of applause vvhen a good shot was aiade - ' Jerusalem!' being a favorito ejaculation. At last he made bold to request tlio privilege of trying his skill, when he set the crowd in a roar by his awkward movements. Howevor he gradualiy got his hand in, and phiyed as well as could be expected tbr a greenhorn. All hands now began t praise him, which so elaled hun that he actually bogan to thiuk himsulf t. second Phelan, and he ofiered to bet a dollar with his opponent, which, of course, he lost. The loss aud the laugh so irritated him that he offured to play another gume and bet two dollars, which he pulled out of a big roll - for it seems his cattle had sold well, and he was quite Üush. This bet he also lost, as the fooi might havo known he would, when, mad as a March hare, he pulled out a fifty spot, the largest bill he had, and ofiered to bet that on another game. The crowd mustered round and raised money enough to cover it, and at it they went again, when, by some strange turn of luek, greeny won. He now offered to put up the hundred he had won against another hundred. Of course he could not blunder into another game, so they could now win back what thoy had lost and fleece the fellow of his own roll besides. They sent out for a tamuus player, who happened to have money enough to bet with, and another gan e was pluyed, which Jonathan bet and won. Another hundrtd was also raised and bet and won ; and it was not until he had blundered through half a dozen games, and by soine unaccountable run of luck, won them all, draining the pocket of his opponents ot about iour hundred dollars, that they began to smell a very largo mice.' When everybody got. tired of playing gawky pulled bis irock over his head, took his whip under his arm and walked quietly out, turning round at tüe door, and remarking, " Gentlemen, if you ehould happen to see anything of ihat steer I wish you'd let me know." At last accounts they had not seen the steer, but they caine to the conclusión that they euw the elephant.