The Dillon tribune., 1885-04-11
POKER.SHARPS AT SEA
r, EECING UNsOPHIsTICATED TNAV.
ELERS on OCEAN STEAMSHIPS.
The Game Which is Played by Couple
of Slender, Bright-Eyed GirlsA
Jolly Officer Gives an
Explanation.
New York Paper.

New York Paper.
A recent London cablegram said there
was revival of the ontcry against gamb.
line on the Atlantic steamships, and many
letters had been Published giving instances
Of passengers being 1eeced by card-shar2s
Two of these sharpers are slender, bright
eyed girls, who are familiar to ocean-trav-
elers in the summer season. Not long ago
the writer saw them board fast steamer
for one of their periodical round trips, ana
they appeared very pleasant to the eye.
They were simply yetrichly dressed in be.
coming travelling suits. One Of them had
an alligator tourists bag slung over her
shoulder, and the other, with equal grace
and archpess, carried pair Of marine
glasses. The small, snug, gray hats that
surmounted their pretty heads OF neatly
donc.up hair. their close fitting jackets,
and strong yet shapclv shoes all bespoke
experienced travellers. AS they stood at
the steamers rail watching the busy, jos,-
ling crowd, they were the cyno>urc of all
eyes. They were not unattended. Loom
ing up in the background with a bland
face was the male guardian of the pretty
pair As the younger men who were to
be their fellow passengers eyed them with
illconcealed admiration, the gray-mous
tached chaperon irowned in Il manner tina,
was discouraging to the audacious.
AS the reporter Sazed al the picture he
was startled by feeling huge red hand
upon his shoulder, and hearing voice in
his ear that sounded as if it came from the
depths ot the sea. 1t said:
"Well old mans
Turning around, the reporter saw the
rotnnd form of the jolly chief officer of the
steamer, the flagship OF the line.
"Wha', are you looking at those girls, ,ch:''
"Yes. wonder who they are---Enslish
girls going home With parc alie, doing the
States, suppose; or, may be, they're Hos-
ton bellies abandoning their crude and bar
barous native land? They're pretty girls,
anyhow, and feel jealous already af that
gaunt. round.shouldercd dude who is max
ing up to the falr-haired one in spite OF her
fathers scowl."
The jolly officer burst into Il peal of
laughter, which reached the ears Of the
beauties at the rail. They turned, looked
at him, crimsoncd with resentment, and
haughtily left the rail to go below or get out
OF the way Of the officers eyes.
"English swclls or Boston bellies, eh ::
That's your reckoning of it, is III" laughed
the jolly tar. "Why, my dear fellow, You
are all off. Those are the three cleveres,
swind|crs that work the herring pond
presume you've heard of the card sharps
and confidence operators who spend their
time during the summer months between
New York and Liverpool tlcecing .heir
fcllo~ passengers. Well, that's the slickes,
trio in the business. I've had e.n twice on
this ship, and on the second VOYAGE they
got So deep into the pockets Of two youn.
Englishmcn westward bound that the skin
per got 'thwart of their hawscr and con-
fined them to their s,ate-roo,n tor the rest
father and two daughters, and as soon as
the ships in blue water they begin to
throw out signals. First one and then
another greenhorn runs alongside and
makes fast. Then they sound him. II he
is clever or on short allowance they sheer
offand let him alone. But il he's what
you Yankees call we'll fixed they max p
fast to him, flirt with him. drink fizz and
brandy and soda with him, smoke cigar
cites with him. and in due time play poker,
or nap, or baccarat with him. The poor
dupe thinks they are too awfully nice for
anything. All the other lady passengers
are below, or off the wind, and he thinks
it charming American characteristic, this
freedom and audacity, and good. fellowship.
The cover-that's the old sharp he makes
apretense Of shortening sail once in while,