Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-15
FALLEN AMONG THIEVES.
Mohammed Ben Airs Experience with
the Bunco Men Of Gotham.

From Pusk
Mohammed Ben Ali 10 Ismail Mustapha, love
that dieth not and greetings Of great joy.
Behold, the wisdom Of the land Of sand and
pomegranates hath stood me in great stead this
day, whereof, now sit me down to write unto
thee the true and touching story. Today was
walking in the street called Broadway, because
IL IL 20 narrow and evercrowded, near the
street called Canal, because il hath no canal
near il, when . Notwithstanding stranger,
with long, white beard, accosted me, saying;
'Hellol Sheik Abdallah, how are your
~ am not the Sheik Abdallah," said I, land
marvel that thou didst ever hear Of him.
am simply Mohammsd Ben Ali, . merchant Of
Bagdad."
just like the Sheik Abdallah, who used TO travel
with Barnum."
Ipasssd on, and had gone but few yards
when another benevolent-looking stranger,
wearing large black mustache AID . great
diamond. accosted me, saying:
why, am sure this must be Mohammed
Ben All Of Bagdad."
That i true" said I, ''bus how didst thou
''My friend, Boswell Poor, travelled in the
east and met you in Bagdad If you viii come
around to my Office I'll send FOR him."
Now, Son Of the Nightingale, my memory re-
called no such man. but I thought it best to 90.
He took me through many streets and at last
to small, poorly-lighted room, where he
found another man sitting.
"Where's Boswell?" asked this man.
don't know" said my new friend; 'let rs
send for him."
So saying, he went to the door and called
into the hallway;
'John; 60 and tell Mr.. Poor to come around
at once"
/ saw no boy in the hall as we entered and
when he had called he closed the door ana
locked 1t. I was now suspicious and I OBJ
tained possession of the key by means which
thou knowest. My new friend sat down and
whistied. Suddenly he said 10 the man at the
table,"
Say, Jim, what's the matter with having .
little game while we wait for Boswell?"
"IJl go you," said the other.
Then he produced some cards. and selecting
three, one Of which was an ace, by dextrous
movement Of the hands spread them out, face
downward, on the table. MY friend bet dol
lar he could pick out the ace, and he promptly
did 90. This was repeated several times, and
then, seeing that it was what they desired,
offered to bet The man with the cards dis
tributed them clumsily, so that could easily
see whit b was the ace, and won. This was
repeated thrice. Then the man with the cards
appeared to lose his temper, and bet me IS that
could not do it the next time. Now, o Nephew
OF the Pomegranate! did l, as we are in the
habit of saying in the mosque, scent the rodent;
but knowing that possessed all the magic of
our people, smiled and took up the bet This
time the man distributed the cards very skill
fully. Truly, he must have studied this foolish
art with long labor. l permitted him to win.
Then bet him that could do it the next time.
And did. He seemed a triie Disconnected
and he laughed with difficulty. l was still "a
ahead OF the game. Once more bet HIM and
this time permitted him to win. The next time
won. This went on for quarter of an hour,
and was still "a ahead. The man with the
cards began to perspire. We tried it once
more. pointed out the card at the left a.
the ace.
Wrong" said the man, SITS here"
And he turned up the card at the right But
il was king. Then he turned up the one at
the left and it was the ace. see thee smile
as thou readest of my doing this old, old trick.
But the man did not smile.
There's some trick here" he said
"Surely," said /, with great innocence, "no
one could suspect trickery in this place."
was now % ahead, but my manner reas-
sured my friend, and we went at it again. This
time-I see thee smile again-no ace could be
found at all.
there, you've dropped it."
They searched on the floor, but could not find
it. When they lifted their heads again they be-
held the ace standing on end on the table and
dancing. Brother of the Pyramids, / blush to
tell thee that practiced this aged trick on
these unsuspecting strangers, but was anxious
to measure their ignorance They sprang to
their feet and turned pale.
What alarms you, friends?" said ''there il
draught from the window which blows the
cards about. Let us close it." That treasured
them and they closed the window. Then we
began again. Once more the ace was missing
While they searched on the floor again deter
mined now to bring to my aid our true ar t.
The room began to grow dark. On the wall a
luminous spot appeared. / bade them look a,
it and as they did so caused large image OF
the ace to appear. The two men turned deadly
pale. Then caused aces to appear all over
the room. dancing and glowing
"Holy herringr' exclaimed one Of the men
"we've buncoed Old Nickr'
With that they made rush for the door, Blu,
had the key. The room began to fill with sui.
phurous smoke. The two men could not breathe,
With a wild yell they hurled themselves through
the window into the street, and, bleeding from
many cuts, fed for their lives.
As for me, put out the sulphur fire which ]
had kindled behind chair, removed the wet
handkerchief from my mouth, gathered up nv
cards and my mirrors and departed in peace
GA ahead Of the game.
Verify, Descendant Of the Prophet, when thou
goest abroad always carry the apparatus of our
eastern art with thee.