St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-01-04
DEALT FOR THE BOYS.
How Judge Mcclure Cured a1ls Son
tho Gambling Habit.

How Juslge Mcclure Cured lIls Son al
tho Gambling Habit.
Judge John Mcclure went from Ohio
% Little Rock. Ark, during the days
Of reconstruction. and soon became q
political leader. lie was elected to
the Supreme Bench and drew up the
decision that oustei a Governor and
brought about the Brooks-Baxter war.
During the past few years the judge
has been q quiet observer OF politics.
rather than a participant in the fight;
he has devoted himself to his profess
sion. and is now regarded as one OF tho
foremost lawyers Of the South. Judge
Mcclure is quaint humorist- One
day. several weeks ago. he met his son
in the street.
..Ayres. understand that you were
seen in a gambling-housc tho other
night"
Il was there" the boy answered.
''Why did you go?"
ITO gamble"
What was your gamer"
Faro"
"Likc the game. do you?"
''Yes, SIR"
''Why do you like it?"
"Because it is fun"
'.Now let me tell you something. 1t
is very bad for boy rs young as you
are to visit such places. and yet at the
same time l can appreciate your fond
ness for gaming. for all intellectually
sound human beings are natural gam
blcrs. Now. I'll tell you what I'll do.
II you are determined to play. l will
set you up a room at home. will get
= faro outfit and put it in the back
parlOr and will deal for you"
but can't bring any of the boys
with me-"
"Yes. you may bring as many you
please"
..But we can't have supper at mid
night"
"Ycs. will have supper served at
midnight"
"Whcn can you get the layout"
''Immediately."
"Well. get it and wc'll open up to-
night"
That night the back parlor OF the
Mcclure residence had the appearance
Of q well-appointed gambling room.
The son and several companions soon
arrived. The judge. as solemn as q
.'bookmakcr," took his place and be-
gan to deal. The boys laughed hearth
ly and recklcssly put down their
money. At midnight an excellent sup
per was served.
"How much nicer it is to play here
than it is in a regular gambling
house." young Mcclure remarked:
"How long will you let US play here?"
1.-The present arrangements shall be
permanent. il you are pleased.
..Oh. We are delighted" ono of the
BOYS exclaimed ''YOu are such good
man. judge"
Don't speak Of it." the judge an
swercd.
"Oh. I must" the boy persisted.
..You are giving US all the fun we
could get anywhere"
After supper the game was resumed.
just before day young Mcclure re-
marked that it was about time to 60 to
bed.
"An right" said the judge.
We'll play again tomorrow night"
the boys declared.
..The room is at your disposal"
The next night the boys met again.
The Judge took his place. Young Nc
Clure approaching his father. said:
LET me have ten dollars OF my
money"
.-Of your money!"
yes"
Il haven't any Of your money"
..Oh, that money OF mine you won
last night"
Eyes. but the money l won last
night is mine"
..What!" tho boy exclaimed. ''aint
you going to give it back to me?"
mo; why should l? DO you think
that can afford to run gambling
house for nothing?"
The boy began to whinc. ''You amt
going to take the boys money. are
you?"
II don't take any body's money but
mine"
''Oh, you know what l mean. The
boys lost all their money last night
Are you going to give it back?"
..Gentlcmen." said the judge. ''if
you have no money shall be COM
peeled to close the house. Goodnight y"
The Judge had won nearly two hum
dred dollars. money which the boys
had been saving up for years. lie did
not return a cent of his winnings. and
he did not have occasion to reopen the
establishment Traveller.
His Claim Badly Spoiled.