Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-07-31
The GAMBLERS. CAT.
How the Book Of OBaeas Discounted
by Two Loeky Aen Of Cleveland
cleveland o. Letter

by Two Iucky Aen OF Cleveland
cleveland o. Letter
one afternoon several weeks ago Michael
Finn, dealer ia faro bank owned by Rob
ert Sidney, IA ~. Clair street, heard a
scream IA an adjoining room, occupied by
a brother gambler and his wife. Finn
rushed Ia and found large maltese cat
GA the window sill. about u catch tho
haby's canary. he seized broom aud
dealt the cat blow that sent II sprawliIls
u the stone tagging below, where It lay
mOtlOnless
THAT catIl never catch any more birds, I"
said Finn triumphantly u Sidley as be
walked back iato the bank.
what cats' asked Sidley.
Michael related the incident Sidley
frowned as be said: $50 you've been
killing caty Wei, now, you're a hoo
doc, sure"
That evening Finn was without situa-
tion. Gamblers having heard OF his expe-
rience were bold in betting with him, for
he was sure % lose. To their surprise he
won with regularity. He had always
clung 70 the superstitions Of the craft, one
OF the strongest OF which is that no man
can have good luck who kills a cat IL
seemed 10 him like flying in the face OF
Providence 10 risk his money, aud il as
tOnished him that he continued day after
day 20 win.
There is a restaurant directly under the
room occupied by Sidley's faro bank. jim
Smith, lookout in IA gambling room on the
opposite side of the street, was eating his
lunch there, when he heard a hideous
noise IN one of the private dining rooms.
He investigated and found large Maltese
cat with several bones broken. He re-
marked that il was too bad TO let the poor
brute linger on in that way, and, taking it
outdoors, ended its sufferings with his
clasp knife. Too late, he reflected that it
was a bad sign. Like an honorable gam
bier he told his employer, begging him To
say nothing about the matter, and then
resigned.
Last evening Smith and Finn were din
ing together in the restaurant under the
rooms occupied by Sidley.
IL cashed in "A cool century last night"
said Finn, showing a large roll OF bills
al was seventy five dollars winner on a
game of poker" remarked Smith. THAT
week. even up. Pretty good for hoodoo,
chr"
"Are you a hoodoo?" asked Finn, eager
ly. Smith nodded in the affirmative.
$50 am l." said Finn. "And yet L new
er had such a run of luck in my life, ever
since killed that cat several weeks ago"
"Did you kill cat?" asked Smith, ex-
citedly. $50 did l. Must be the dream
and omen book is wrong; let's change it,"
Each took out his we'll -thumbed Ma
poleonic dream and omen book and with a
lead pencil revised the paragraph about
killing cat TO read as follows;
To Kill n cat is a most favorable omen:
Meow, meow"
There's a cat now," said Finn.
"Why, that's the very cat killed." de-
clared Smith, examining two wounds on
its neck.
Finn leaned eagerly forward, took a
close look, and shouted: "NO, il amt. It's
the one | killed. / Knocked il out of q
third-story window" Then he turned to
the waiter and asked: "Where did you ge,
this cat."
Dunno, sab. Pm a new waitah heah
>
The cook was summoned, and said: "Dt
poh cat crawl'd into de kitchen sev'r'
weeks back all lame m bloody. l wal
goin' fer 70 trow it out, but de secon' cool
mind me twas good sign 10 hab cat com,
10 We, an we nussed 1t, an it's bout.
wells ever"
Finn and Smith gazed at each other il
blank astonishment a moment. Then Smith
said: "The books all right; let's chang,
Il back"
While they were making the seconC
revision Sidley. Finn's old employer
dropped in and heard the wonderful story
why, Mike, you're mascot now,
said he. II thought something must b
at the bottom of your good luck. Com,
hack and deal for me and III double YOU
/ wages"
Finn accepted the offer.
/ Smith rushed over and breathlessly re
| lated the cat story 10 the gambler for whom
/ he had worked as a lookout. He got hi
I old place at advanced pay and the banl
| cleared moro money the first three hour
| after his return than IL had made before IL
a month.
The head-cook at the restaurant has
standing offer Of twenty dollars 70
that cat.