Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-04-30
A WIZARD.

mountains that blew down into my hut.
NV companion was gone, but when be
went / can only conjecture; probably
when the first light Of dawn made the
way visible. At first waking thought
his visit must have been 3 dream, ou
the cigarette ends showed me that IL
was a fact, and, moreover, when 1 went
out OF doors the new spring was rum
ming angrily, and it runs, so far as l
know, to this day.
The next time I saw this remarSaele
man / was In a small mining town sev-
eral hundred miles from the scene OF
our first meeting, where l was detained
by engineering business. The only
''hotel" In the place wal also the prin-
cipal grog shop and gambling establish
and rows were OF frequent occur
renee. l was sitting In the oar-room
one Sunday evening trying to read q
stale newspaper by the light OF the III
smelling lamp, when | heard above the
hubbuo OF the gambling, swearing aud
drinking, . soft. we'll bred voice that |
Instantly recognized, although l had
not heard 1t for two years. He was In
curing OF the man behind the bar II he
could obtain accommodations for the
night.
He stood there looking identically as
when / had last seen him In the wild
foothills. his broadcloth as black. his
linen as white, himself IS imperturb-
able and Mephistophelian as ever, while
the landlord said that the house was
full.
The stranger, with q courteous good
night, turned to leave the room, when
he was accosted by q man who started
up before the door. This fellow, who
was called SIudge, was recognized as q
desperate character even there, where
the moral sense was nearly stone blind.
He had been gambling with his COM
panious and had had bad luck, which
had put him in an ugly temper.
Whats your name. tenderfootr' ne
growled.
my NAME" replied the stranger,
pausing, sis S%tregone."
"Well, Mr.. Stregone," said Sludge,
"you amt goin quite vet. You're
to set down and have q little
game o. cards first"
II do not cara about playing, l thank
YOU" responded Stregone, leaning cas-
ily against the bar and waiting for
Sludge to get out Of the door. His left
elbow rested on the counter and his
left hand carelessly held his glossy hat
by the brim. l saw the name OF a well
known London maker in the crown, l
was so near TO him.
But l care, d-n you, and so you're
bound to care, you see," announced
Sludge, Dye see this?" And he exhlo-
tied a clumsey six-shooter. 81 mako
porous plasters out of fellers that don't
care
Stregone looked at him pleasantly and
did not stir. Where are the cards?"
he asked.
Sludge pointed to q greasy pile on the
table. Something In the strangers
self possessed manner cowed him a little.
"Ah, yes. May / trouble you for q
few moments?" looking at me for the
first time, with q bow Of recognition.
I took up the cards mechanically,
while the roomful OF roughs. who had
suspended private business, looked on.
Before | play cards with the gentle
man." turning toward Sludge, per
haps he would like TO have a little shoot
ing" explained Stresone blandly. ~
notice that no one is sitting behind the
gentleman who holds the cards. II he
will pull out a card and toss II edgewise
in the air it can be used as a target
without endangering human life. The
back of the card toward the company,
il you please" he added'to me.
Ispuna card in the air as he directed.
AS 1t left my hand, "Will you shoot
frst?" he asked Sludge politely.
Il don't want to shoot" Sludge grum-
bled %uneasily.
pardon me. I was under The impress
sion that you suggested IL. Now, II the
gentleman will kindly toss up another
csrd."
He stood, as he had from the first,
with his hat still dangling from lis left
hand. As l tossed the card he careless
ly reached into the crown OF his hat
with his right hand and drew out a six
shooter like Sludge's. A shot rang
through the close room aud the card fell
on it's face on the floor, pierced through
the center.
THE nine OF hearts" said he.
One OF the gaping crowd slowly picked
up the card and turned the face toward
the company. 1t was the nine OF hearts.
The marksman nodded, and l sent an
other spinning vertically up. de shot
again.
1.-THE knave OF clubs" he said.
II fell back upward, shot through
the middle as before, and was again
found to be the card he announced.
After this had occurred half a dozen
times he said: THAT will do. Now.
since the gentlemen Is so urgent, l
will play a game with him." He put
the six shooter back in bis hat as he
spoke. When he passed me a moment
later his hat was dangling from his
iest hand, empty.
1t o became evident that Sludge
was booked to lose that night. while
the stranger had phenomenal luck. IL
is due TO him to say that he won fairly
and by no mysterious means. They
gambled with gold pieces, and Sludge
cursed unanimously every time he lost
and his opponent raked the pot. Sud-
denly he dashed down the cards.with a
string OF oaths.
'sBlast you!" he roared. "Get out o.
this before | blow you into cats meat!
You're a swindler! You'rea card cheat
ing devill Get out 1 say, Or
"Gentlyl" admonished the %unruffsd
Stregone. "These good friends OF yours