The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-05-23
THREE.CARD MONTE MEN.
How Poor Clergyman was Taken
iii by the Gamblers.

Eli fefKlns writes as f0ll0WS 10 tne
Chicago Tribune: *
The reason why urge upon every
one, however smart, no, to put too much
confidence in his own smerlness, will be
seen fuIther on
Yesterday had to wait several hours
at Monmouth, H., a station on the Chi
Gag !, Burlington and Quincy road. Mon
mouth has been trequented by three-card
NOME men for years. | have always
known 1t, have often seen them there,
and have often written about them.
Well, Yesterday they we're there again.
One of them With Canada Bill dialect
wanted to show me some strange
"keerds" that he got up 10 Chicsgo.
"What we're YOU doing up there ?"
asked, knowing that he was thtee.card
monte man, and feeling an interest in his
modes.
me and pap" he said, took up some
hogs We took up pile on 'em and
made heap; but nap he got swinded
nv three-keerd monte man. Got near
ruined. But / grabbed the kperds, and
I'll show you how they done it I"
Never mind, boys" | said; Il know
all about it kuow the whole racket.
Now, I'll keep quiet, mind INV own bu,
siness, AMI let you try your monte-game
business on some one a little more
! fresh.'"
The mon'e-hoy saw at once that was
posted, and soon turned bis attention to
4 good-looking, jolly, young and iuno-
cent clergyman. IN the depot. In few
moments l saw that the innocent clergy
man had become deeply interested. His
interest grew as he watched the cards.
They we're three ordinary business cards
al believe I can tell which card has
Willoughey d Hill on it, said the inno-
cent clergyman So. 49,
"All right-try it." said the monte
mar Topping them about.
"There, that one," said the clergyman
sm Hing.
Sure enough he was right.
81 don't see how your poor old father
could lose all his money at such simple
game as that" said the clergyman.
'Whv Your eyes can see the cards all the
time"
"Suppose you bet IS that you can
tell, Suggested the monte-m man
'.All right: I'll risk IT, said the cler-
gyman, though don't like to win mon
ey that way
The cards were turned and Of course
the poor, unsuspecting clergyman lost
Again he tried it, hoping to get his 50
back, but he lost again. Then he put up
his last dollar and lost that. Then seem
ing to realize his situation he put his
hand To his head and walked out of the
depot. ........
"To think" he said, "that l, clergy
man, should get caught at this game.
Why. l might have known it was three
card monte. I've no respect for myself"
and he wiped his eyes like man who
felt the most acute condemnation
"Why don't you complaiu of the
scoundrel2"
Il would. hut I'm clergyman, and il
they should hear of my sin and foolish
ness in Peoria, would be relieved NV
poor family would suffer for nv sins"
Then Id keep quiet about III" said !;
shut let it he lesson 10 you, never to
think you know more than other peo-
pie"
But they've cot my last dollar and I
want to GO to Peoria. / must be there
to preach on Sunday" said the innocent,
suffering man.
Cant you borrow it of soue one ?"
asked.
sNo one knows me, and don't like
to tell nv name here after this Occult
renee" said the poor man halI-cr, ing.
Every WE'LL" / said. "hand me your
card and will let YOU have S5, and you
can send it 10 me at the Palmer House,
Chicago, when you get to Peoria" and
l handed the poor man the money.
A moment aIterward / spoke to the
agent at the depot about the wickedness
of these monte men, and told him how
had to lend the poor clergyman IS to
get home.
"And YOU lent him S52"
"Yes, lent the poor man the money
"Well, by the great guns" and then
be swung his hat and yelled to the ope-
rator:
"Bill, you know that ministerial look
ing man round here ?" < sg
You mean the capper for the three
card monte men, don't your Bill Keys
Missouri Bill"
"Yes. Well, by the great guns, he's
the best man in the whole gang; he's
just struck old Eli Perk ms for S. Ii
does beat Inc what blankety-hlankety
tools them newspaper fellers are!''