Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-22
THREE-CARD MONTE
How the Trick is Worked Gam bIing
ON the Green.
lFroal ne Terra Ha,ae Express.

From the Terra Hdae Express
"So you don't know anything about three
card monte, eh? Now just wait a minute.
and I'll show you something. Here are three
business cards all alike. I'll take the plain
side OF them, and on this one I'll mark a
large round spot with pen. Now watch
close"
These remarks were addressed TO an Ex-
press repres entative few evenings since,
oy young man who bad been known 10 the
profession" as one of the most daring young
confidence men and three card throwers in
the country, who had been induced by the
writer to give him history of his career,
and aR insight into the mOdltS OpeTdndi of the
game.
Now" he continued, at take this card so.
and place it on the table. This is the one
with the mark on it. put the two others N
either side of 1T, and you can turn IL up now
and look for yourself"
The repor ter did so: Sure enough, the mid
die card had the spot.
Now, again, take up this card slowly,
and throw II over In the place of the other,
AID transfer the one on the let TO the place
OF the one on the right, and the marked one
Is now on the left instead of being in the
middle, iDsnt it?''
The reporter thought that such was the
case, and remarked that there was no doubt
about IL.
Pick 1t up, and see," said "slippery
Ned"
The reporter turned over the card. It was
blank. He also turned the middle, with a
Ike result, and found the marked spot on
the last card TO the right
i
$1,000 bet on that, you'd been left, wouldn't
your"
The Express writer was forced TO admit
that such would have been the result, but
also made mental reservation to the effect
that whenever he became the possessor OF
$1,000 he wouldn t bet 1t on any kind OF a
game, you bet.
TRY it again." urged Ned.
The reporter did so with the same result,
although in each case the motion of Ned's
fingers were slow and deliberate.
EhfNE y1nfI hx al 49, = L.
with the spot on IL, and bending 1t like the
others, put IL in my fingers. / make a mo-
ton as though were throwing 1t out, but
m quickly Snan and throw
on the one thrown out, thinking 1t is the one
which Is marked, or in a regular way, the
ace, and there you get left again. Now let
me show you" And in a few moments IL
was so well explained that the reporter had
hardly any trouble In picking up the prope r
card. Then the operator smutted the corner
OF card little and gave an illustration Of
that proceeding.
When all this was fully explained the re-
porter proceeded TO get some Information
concerning the mode OF living by these oper-
ators.
''You see," said Ned, "I used to be pretty
well up in the business, although l was
young IN years. Red John first got hold of
me in New York, where was playing mar
bles on the street, and he thinking / would
make good subject, started out with me. 1
suppose I've attended nearly every county
istir ia the country with that fellow. He first
had me into business as a capper, and
worked into his hands well, can tell you.
he always whacked up too, you bet.
Always honor among thieves you know, and
honor among the chaps re were, too. Had
10 10. oe; or we coudn't have run the business.
hook; SO one season LETT Kew York In JuIy.
10 work up the farmer fairs from that time on ;.
i ! had two cappers, and right good fellows
dredS OF greenies, and then used to soak
EN-. Tell you how we used 70 doit Wed go
into q lair ground, and get license from the
officers TO run jewelry case. Receiving per-
mission we set up jewelry case with little
brass lewelry In 1T, and under pretence of
shouting for sales brought up the crowd.
soon as we got them together out came q
board, and down went on the ground, pre-
tending To have a little fun all to myself
PIelty soon country fellow would Sit down
near me, and ask
what you got thar?'
or course answered him in way to lead
him on.
"os, just a little game with some fun
In IT,"
His curiosity being excited, his next
was just what wanted, drove my opening
wedge by throwing the cards little, letting
him pick out the ace every time. When
convinced that had him on my string. I
Boss. III bet You quarter You can't pick
out the ace"
"Dope," says he, and he threw down a 25-
He wins, of course; I allow him TO win
again, and again. Then he feels elated; puts
down $40, and wins again; $50, and stilEwins.
III think he has any more, down goes $50.
This time win, and the noble Granger is
busted, by thunder!
Z" But don't the officers around these fairs
MAKE 1t hot for your" queried the reporter.
Sometimes. when We beat them at our
little game. Tell you the truth, have often
beaten men at fairs whom you wouldn't
think of-policemen, constables, and some
times the presidents OF the agricultural
societies. Why, IL was only two years ago
that, at the Bridgeton fair, got hold of an
old preachers Methodist-who had Just
married a couple, and got 50 for II. got his
money, and he went about through the