Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-11
PLAYED STRIPPERS ON HIM.
A Card Sharper Suffers for Playing an O

Card Sharper Suffers for Playing an Old
Trick on a New York Drummer
From the New York Herald
''No, Stree" exclaimed nv friend "Buck."
who is travelling salesman for a large Broad
way importing house, You don't often catch
us drummers asleep. We're wide awake to the
tricks of most all trades. 1 can tell you.
1.-The last time a sharper tried to down me
was at Cleveland, Ohio. few weeks ago. He
tried to work the stripper racket on me. twas
seated In my room early one evening when a
little terrier dog ran in through the open door
and began shifting about. Pretty soon a we'll
dressed young fellow appeared at the door, and
apologizing for the intrusion. asked if had
seen stray dog anywhere around.
All, there you are said he, espying the
canine; always running away from me into
other peoples rooms he explained. As might
be expected, one word led to another and very
soon we were engaged in general conversation.
The talk drifted to cards and then the stranger
produced pack. He had Just learned a new
trick. which he would show me-
" Now take card and look at it, said he /
did as directed selecting the ace OF clubs
Now put II back, he said. handing me the pack
He then requested me to shuttle the cards well
which did. He then took the pack
WILLING TO BET on IT.
"There is your card he said at once. pro-
ducing the ace of clubs. very good said L.
then called his attention to a picture in tho
room, while l hurriedly examined the pack.
No. said i. i don't think you could do il
again; not for 500
III see you said he. producing the money.
All right. said j, and the bet was made i
then selected card-the ace of spades He
handed me the pack. requested me to replace
| the card and shuffie them as much as pleased.
Now, can handle the pasteboards myself,
so while was shutting Just fixed the cards
on the sharper so that he couldn't tell one card
from another. There said l, handing him
| the pack, where's my card?'
HE took the cards with smile Of confidence
and began to run his fingers over the edges.
lhen he began to look trife nervous Come.
/ said i, produce the card or take your money
Well sir. after he had fumbled over the
pack for a few minutes just pocketed his $40.
Now, see here, l said to him, you've been try
ing TO play shippers on me, haven't you?'
/ he never said aword for about two minutes
| He then rose to leave the ROOM Saw said he
as he was about to leave, you're New York
/ drummer for another twenty I'm not max
ing any more bets. said l. 1 know it, he re-
marked as he left the room"
| "Strlppers? Why that's a pack Of cards
| made slightly narrower on one end than the
other. An almost imperceptible difference.
/ yet enough to be distinguished by the touch.
| when you select card the sharper hands
you the pack so that you replace it upside down.
| the broad end among the narrow ones-see?
-, He can then snake it out without any trouble.
II a neat trick and hard to detect unless you
| have been initiated.
"Of course knew what he was up to when
he handed me the pack. put the card in as
| he wanted 1t and then, while was shutting,
| quietly turned 1t around SO that the ends were
| all alike.
Did it cost me anything 70 learn that tricks
| Wel-but I'm not giving myself away got
| go out of il back at any rate