The morning call., 1891-01-18
HoUDIN's SARCASTIC TRICK.

HoUDIN'S SARCASTIC TRICK.
Happening to drop into a Continental ca
slno one day Robert Houdin observed a
Greek reaping a rich harvest at ecarte. and
as soon as a seat became vacant be took it.
The Greek, dealing dexterously, turned a
king from the bottom of the pack When
the deal came to Houdin he observed:
wv hen turn kings from the bottom of
the pack l always do it with one hand in
stead OF TWO; 1t is quite as effective and
much more elegant. Scei here comes his
majesty OF diamonds" and up came the
card.
The cheat stared at the coajuror for a mo-
ment, and then rushed from the place with
ing to possess himself of his hat, coat or
winnings.
Another of the light-dngered fraternity.
after WINDING ten games at cclrte in success
sion tried his fortune against new OppO-
nent. ana continued to win. Ha bad made
four points, and, dealing, turned upa king
aud won.
My lack is something wonderful" he re-
Piled.
more wonderful since l have the four kings
oi the pack IN my pocket; and the pro-
lessor Ut legerdemain laid them on the
table.
There Is 4 good story told of the outwit-
ting OF gambler and a confederate, who
u
The game, which was Napoleon, is played
IN this manner: Five caris are dealt and
the players in turn declare the number of
tricks earh claims to make. Whoever de-
claIeS the highest number PLAYS against the
rest, aud tie first card led is trumps.
There were IN this case only two PLAYERS,
and to the innocent" WAS dealt ace, king,
queen, knaye of clubs and ace of diamonds
lie naturally backed himself to get five
tn cks, the chances in favor Of his doing 50
hl IL int 81 ,f
to make clubs trumps, but the readiness
with which his wdgeTs were accepted by the
Oni0oker who saw his opponents hand,
aroused his suspicious, ana when the stake
had risen to a high amount. he made his
solitary diamond the trump, and found his
adversary with five clubs, and SO made
every trick.
a Mr.. Purdy of New York, as the end of
his hacheerho0d. drew nigh, let his Old
cronIes know that lie Intended to give up
caTd-playlng as soon as he was married.
On learning this they put their heads to-
gether, and day or two after the wedding
Invited him to little dinner at D.lmonicos,
at which he was to receive a 500 silver
service.
Dinner done and the presentation made,
the party made themselves and their guest
merry over some excellent vine, and hen
they thought the time had come, proposed
game Of poker, AID Purdy gave in, just for
His hosts had fixed things nicely, and cal
culatfd upon winning The price of their we'd
ding g IL, the dinner and the wine. When,
long e9cr daylight the next morning, the
game blSke up, the intended victim not only
held possession OF the silver service, but
had completely cleaned out every one of his
opponents.
A gentleman who has Travelled in Russia
relates the following:
Il remember once whenplaying ecarte at
a bail given by the Empress to the late En-
peror, the latter, who was wandering about
came behind me to watch the game. My ad-
versary aud were both at four, and it was
my deal.
80 Now,' said the Emperor, let US see
whether you can turn up king
dealt and then held up the turn-up
card, observing, Your orders, sir, have been
obeyed.
The Emperor was greatly astonished. and
dozen times afterward asked me how |
managed II, and he never would believe that
1t was mere haZard-that l had taken the
chance OF the card being king"