The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-01-13
e=>ss===.s=s.e s.==. e-=-szs.--.--...
The Pittsbufg Poss says. 2

..=>S-==ss=s.. cAe=. e.=--.Ss=--.-==s...
The Pittsbusg Post says.
Early last weak o prominent New Yorb
gambler registered at hotel, and during
the day accidentally" met with s.faro
ist, who does business ct No. -,
street.
The New Yorker observed to the Pitts.
burger that he had taken q run over
here for the purpose of plucking q
s'Texan drnver," who had ''alathers OF
money" and who would arrive in the
city in a day or two. The next day
another prominent Now York profes-
sional, accompanied by the identical
"Texsn drover," accidentally came in
contact with the Pittsburg Egyptian.
About an hour afterward, New Yorker
No. called upon the Pittsburger and OK
planned the plan against the "drover." "
Ihe two New York professionals were
after the ''drover." They had "fold-
up spread" which they carried with
them, but they were rather afraid that
the ''drover" would feel suspicious about
it. Would Mr.. - extend the fraternal
courtesy to loan the New Yorkers the
.lay-out" of the firm, to be taken to
their room at the hotel, where the
"iexan drover" was to be plucked at
leisure, and in the meantime use their
"spread" in the ordinary line of bust
ness! The exchange was effected. Two
days passed, and the New Workers were
apparently detected.
They had worked hard to beat Texas,
but had only succeeded in extracting
about $l, 700 from that noncholant indi-
vidual; therefore, they would return the
"lay But after all, there was a
chance to beat the dealer in bovines.
They would "rope" him into No.
street, where something could be "put
up" on him. In due time the "drover, ("
innocent of the dark plot that was laid
against him. accompanied by his two
supposed friends, put in an appearance
III tie place already indicated.
To more deeply dissimulate, the two
''ropers" joined in the grand war against
the tiger. The dealer felt good, and the
drover muttered fearful oath that his
money could not be exhausted. His
friends were detected, however. They
bought largely of twenty. five cents chips
Texas" scorned anything less than five
dollar 'fsh"-would sooner have twenty
five dollar ones. Suddenly the Texas
Cresus took a fancy to the ace, king,
queen and jack, and staked his chips on
them. Thereafter he lost no more
money. With every turn up his checks
were on the winning or safe card. His
betrayers G? followed his bets, and
whichever of the four charmed cards
that he would bet on, they would heap up
their insignificant twenty five cents upon
and around, until it was hard to see his
fifty-dollar bet, or tell just what card it
was on. And thus the game proceeded.
| The perhdious ''ropers" were losing
money as often as they won, but some
how or other the bank could not get even
"split" on the man from Texas Once
when he staked forty dollars on the king,
there was q "split," and the dealer
reached over for the twenty, when 10 and
behold! the checks we're on the queen.
Shortly after, the 1rover staked on the
queen very largely, and the queen lost
and the jack won. The dealer triumph
antly went for the pile, but to his utter
amazement he saw that he was mistaken,
and that the stake was on the jack. The
dealer rubbed his eyes. 80 did the 'look-
out )" likewise did the stockholders in
the bank. Things were mystified, but
still the play went on, when suddenly
the dealer ordered halt. Something
struck him as strange. The king-upon
J which the "drover" had staked largely
lost, but just as that fact was developed
by the turn of the card, he saw the stake
get up and walk over to the queen, and
place itself under her protection.
It is needless to say that business
ceased Immediately, The Texan arose,
called languidly for drink, in which he
was joined by the perfidious wretches
who were trying to pluck him, and then,
bidding the bankers goodnight. de.
parted, from which moment he has not
been visible in the fesh-at least, to those
most interested in him. Also thus of his
perfidious friends.
The lights were put out, and dealer,
lookout" and bankers retired, if not in
terror, at least in amazement. But
something dawned upon them in the
darkness, metaphorically speaking. There
was some human divinity, and not the
genuine Plutonio article, at the bottom
of this thing. Bright and early next
morning each particular banker might
have been seen, armed with O screw
driver, entering the bank about five
minutes apart. frightening the porter
with their extraordinary appearance. A
consultation was held Something mnst
be done. Attacking the 'tlayoutn with
the screw-drivers, they found the fol-
lowing state of the case: The screws
fastening down the green cover of the
table had been removed by the party
who borrowed it, the cloth removed, a
series OF grooves cut in it, Which were
filled with series of springs, an attach
ment similar to that used in the latest
improved sewing machines, on an exact
line with the ends of the cards opposite
the dealer, and in the place of the screws
was very fine imitation, but which was
really o spring connecting with the other
arrangement. All the "drover" had to
do was to watch the turn of the cards.
and il his stake was on g losing one. he
pressed the proper spring with o pencil,