The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-26
NV FIRST GAME OF FARO.

Some Years ago ! was telegraph operator
~ the Union Pacific railroad and stationed
in = little shanty far out in the wllds OF
california. There I passed twelve of the
dreariest months of my life-my only amuse-
ment talking with the operators at tne var
ious stations along the line.
One little fellow, bright and CHEEKY as a
sunbeam, was my especial favorlte. l
called him Johnnie; l new no other name
for him, and whether l gave him the So
hr;ouet or not, the boys always spoke OF
him "a Johnnie" As the time also hung
heavily on his hands, we spent many pleas
ant hours chatting over the wires, and be-
came great friends. .....u.
One day he told me he was going to San
Francisco to spend his vacation. imme-
diately managed to get leave OF absence,
and offered to accompany him. To my
great surprise his answer was not cordial.
He said che could not possibly go
with me, but would JOIN me
in San Francisco at the end of the
week. l was very much disappointed, but
all my arrangements being completed l
concluded to go and wait for him there,
autographed where he would find ma, and a
few DAYS lateI was in the CITY OF the Golden
Gate.
Never having been there before I was
anxious to see the ''sights," and making
the acquaintance of a young fellow at the
hotel, who volunteered to be my guide l
passed the time very pleasantly with my
new acquaintance who was very agreeable,
we'll informed and neamed to know the city
perfectly.
As to his personal appearance only re-
membered he had the MOST wonderful pair
of keen, penetrating eyes | ever saw.
One night, the very night ! was expect
ing Johnnie, az he had just wired me he
would be OF the ~naidnight train, found
myself in one of those gambling ''hells'' at
that time 80 commoa in San Francisco.
Why / was there ! don't know, unless at
the solicitation OF my companion, Il to
while away the time until the coming of the
midnight train.
We were the only occupants OF the room,
q gloomy, deserted looking place, badly
lighted by a single chandelier which hung
directly over the green-covered table where
we were seated. III game WAS faro. / re-
member thinking the banker fifty named
Wolf, he had such a british countenance,
with a singularly tigerish expression about
the mouth and a deep scar over one eye
which gave an additionally repulsive looA
to his face. I knew nothing about the
game-in truth, knew little about cards Of
any kind, but my new friend insisted
should try my luck.
boldly made my bet, and to my great
sur prise won. Again and again the same
miraculous result. Soon a little pile Of
gold and silver was heaped up in front Of
me. Carried ava by the excitement Of
success, I played on and on. always win,
ming. My luck was unprecedented, thu
cards seemed actually memersized under
my fingers, turning up at my will. Ny ves'
pocket was crammed with gold and silver
the inner pockets of my overcoat, that ii
my haste l had neglected to take of, wer.
pulled out with banknotes. l had spread
the act Of gathering up the four corners
when the banker said:
mo more tonight, gentlemen; the banl
ia closed" Immediately adding, "Let'i
have something to drink" | don't know
why, but | thought / detected a peculiar
look pass between him and my companion
! refused to drink, when just then Il waite
brought in some hot coffee. Feverish
thirsty and excited, | tossed down Il cup a
Il single draught. In less than a minute
every drop of blood in my body seemed t.
surge to my brain, the faces of the two meI
grew blurred and indistinct, the room
whirled and vibrated round me like a pen
dulum, my strength left me and, slippin.
from my chair, / rolled on the floor.
When / again opened my eyes, l was in
strange roonl--R room almost devoid o
furniture. The low couch OF which ! wa,