Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-02


one long accustomed to the business,
and skilfully threw the cards.
Robbins bet on the ace of hearts, and
won; again the cards were thrown. and
again the planter won. The stakes
were doubled, and still success was his.
The game was getting exciting. Rob
bins grew red III the face, his hands
shook and his eyes looked ready to start
from his head. Clark was cool, but
watchful, and SO was Perkins, who sat
with his carpet bag between his knees
and his feet drawn ap under his chair,
furtively noting the manner of both the
cotton planter and the cotton buyer.
Ten thousand dollars in notes and
gold lay on the table.
Robbins bet his last shilling on the
seven of clubs, and-lost!
From red his face became deadly pale,
his breath came in quick, difficult gasps,
and his lips trembled violently.
II am ruinedr he moaned-'' utterly
ruined!"
81 told you it was a trick "game, !"
coolly replied the gamble-'a
mere slight of hand You thought
you saw the seyen of clubs
to be at the bottom of the pack, but the
result proves that you didn't"
The planter arose, staggered to the
opposite side of the cabin; and threw
himself face downward on a sofa that
happened to be there.
"I'n try you hand Mt that are
game, said a voice at the sharpcr's ell
bow. "Throw your cards, mister, for l
kinder think, if We haven't got the pict-
ures set up, that kin beat the animal
right here and now.
"The cotton buyer!" turned and con-
fronted the long-featured, lathy Perkins
who had risen. and mildly requested the
favor of being cleaned out on winning
back what the planter had lost.
The astonished gambler, for such he
really was, stared contemptuously at the
lank speaker, but when he saw the fell
low take well fitsed wallet from his
pocket, his frown became a smile, and
he eagerly assented to the strangers
foolhardy proposition.
The two first games Perkins won; the
third and fourth he lost.
The wallet was empty b ut he was by
no means at the end OF his resources.
Deliberately unlocking his shabby car
pet bag he took therefrom a goodly
sized bag of gold, and proudly thumped
it down on the table.
"Ten thousand dollars, stranger, can
yon cover it?"
Eyes, and go you five thousand bet
ter"
"GoodI I'll see you five, and double
it twice"
Forty thousand dollars and the
gamblers cheeks flushed. ''It's a big
pile, stranger"
''Make it fifty, and toss your cards.
The older planter raised his head and
looked dazedly at the reckless Perkins.
His hands were behind him, and almost
touching the stove, in which there was
no fire, however, and was SO black and
shiny as to make it matter of doubt as
to whether it had ever contained any.
Before giving the sharper permission
to toss the cards, the verdant looking
individual had taken the precaution to
carefully examine each one, as if to tho
roughly satisfy himself that he was not
being cheated.
Perkins bet ON the queen of diamonds.
His light blue eyes were as sharp as fer
ret's, and the gambler felt that it would
not do to count to much on his apparent
verdancy. Passing over the first two
cards, Perkins quickly picked up the
third-the queen of diamonds, and with
single swift movement of his long hand
swept the stakes into his carpet bag and
drew his revolver.
"You are swindler, an arrant knave"
cried the enraged and completely out
tricked gambler-a "despicable fraud,
and you have cheated me out of my
money"
easy, my friend!" coolly advised
Perkins. It's fair thing, only know
the games and don't bet on the card l
see "Here's your money, mister ap-
preaching the amazed Robbins, and
thrusting a roll of bank notes in his
hand, "and the next time you play,
three card monte with professional,
don't forget to mark your picture before
stalking your pile"
"What do yon mean?" faltered the
old planter, looking the gratitude he
felt.
Perkins held up his left hand, the
thumb of which was slightly blackened.
''Just gave it rub on the stove, See!'