The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1882-04-01
THREE CAMD MONTE MEN OtT
WEST.
How "a Pour Clergy man WAS aorsa
ia BY she Gn.nbiers.

Eli Perkins ir the Chicigo Tribune.
The reason why urge upon every
one, however smart, not to put toa
much confidence. In his own smart
ness will be seen further on.
Yesterday l had to wait several
hours at Monmouth, Ill.,, "a station on
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
road. Monmouth has been frequented
by three-card monte men for years.
l have always known it, have often
seen them there, and have often writ
ten about them.
Well, yesterday they were there
again. OneOf them, with IA Canada
Bill dialect, wanted 10 show me.some
strange "keerds' that he got up in
| Chicago.
What were you doing up there ?"
asked, knowing that he was three
card monte man and feeling an inter
est in his modes.
"Me and pap" he said, "took up
some hogs. We took up pile of 'em,
an made heap; but pap he got
swindled by a three keerd monte
man. Got near ruined. But grabbed
the keerds, and I'll show you how
they done it,"
"Never mind, boys" I said; 81
know all about it. know the whole
racket. Now I'll keep quiet, mind my
own business, and let you try your
monte game on some one "A little more
fresh"
The monte-boy Saw at once that I
was posted, and soon turned his atten-
ton to a good-looking, jolly, young
and innocent clergyman in the depot.
In few moments saw that the inpo-
cent clergyman had become deeply
interested. His interest grew as he
watched the cards. There were threet
ordinary business cards.
believe can tell which card has
& Hilton on it," said the
innocent clergyman.
"All right-try it," said the monte
man, Hopping them about.
There, that one, said the clergy
man, smiling.
Sure enough he was right.
don't see how your poor father
could lose all his money at such a
simple game as that" said the clergy
man. why. your eyes can see the
cards all the time"
Suppose you bet S. that you can
tell, suggested the monte-man.
"All right; I'll risk it," said the
though l don't like to
win money that way"
The cards were turned, and of
course the poor unsuspectIng clergy
nan lost. Again he tried II, hoping
Q get his SIS back, but lost again. ,
Then he put up his last dollar and /,
ost that. Then, seeming to realize
lis situation, he put his hand to his
lead and walked out of the depot. a
ITO think" he said, "that /, a
clergyman, should get caught at this :.
,ame. Why, might have known it
vas three-card monte. I've no re-
pect for myselfn and he wiped his
yes like man who felt the most 7
cute condemnation.
"Why don't you complain Of the g
coundrel ?' said. '
~ would, but am a clergyman,
nd If they should hear Of my sin and
in Peoria, would be re-
leved. My poor family would suffer !
Or my sins" il
"Then I'd keep quiet about IT," h
aid, ".but they've got my last dollar, o
nd l want to go to Peoria. L must
Q there to preach on Sunday said
he Innocent, suffering man.
" Can't you borrow Of some one ?" V
asked. "
:" No one knows me, and l don't D
Ike to tell my name here after this d
ccurrence," said the poor man, half n
ryiDg. y
"Very well,n / said, "hand me
our card, and will let you have So,
nd you can send it to me at the Pal
Ter House, Chicago, when you get to "
eoria," and / handed the poor man b,
re money. NJ
A moment afterward spoke to the p
gent at the depot about the wicked
ess Of these monte-Inen, and told
i'm how / had to lend the poor al
ergyman SIS to get home. al
"And you let him have SIS"
ayes, L lent the poor man the
"Well, by the great guns % and pl
len he swung his hat and yelled to
e operator:
q" Bill, you know that ministerial
oking man around here ?" m
" Yes.n a.,
swell, by the great guns, he's the
st man In the whole gang; he's just
ruck old Eli Perkins for S.. 1t does
'at me what blankety- blankety fools pc
EN- darned newspaper fellers are !" si
Yours tearfulty, .