The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-04-15
WITH MARKED CARDS.
A Gamblers Attempt to Reform a
Fallen Bank Cashier.

'I'm bothered about that young fell
low" said Mellish early one morning
to the professional gambler, Pony
Rowell.
"'Why?"
'He comes here night after night,
and he loses more than l imagine he
can afford. He has no income, as far
as can find out, except what he gets
as salary, and it takes mighty sight
bigger salary than his to stand the
strain he's putting on it"
"What does he do?"
"He is cashier in the Ninth national
bank. don't know how much he gets,
but it can't be enough to permit this
sort of thing to go on"
Pony Rowell shrugged his shoulders.
81 don't think l would let it trouble
me, if l were you, Mellish."
Nevertheless it does. l have adj
vised him to quit, but it is no use. If |
tell the doorkeeper not to let him in
here he will merely go somewhere else
where they are not so particular"
~ must confess 1 don't quite under
stand you, Mellish, long as l have
known you. In your place, now,
would either give up keeping gamb-
ling saloon or l would give up the
moral reformation line of business. l
wouldn't try to ride two horses of such
different tempers at the same time"
I've never tried to reform you,
Pony, said Mellish, with reproach in
his voice.
mo; will give you credit for that
much sense"
Its all right with old stagers like
YOU aud me, Pony but with boy just
beginning life, it is different. Now, it
struck me that you might be able to
help me in this"
"Yes, thought that was what you
were leading up to-" said Rowell,
thrusting his hands deep in his
trousers pockets. I'm no missionary,
remember. What did you want me to
do?"
~ wanted you to give him sharp
lesson. Couldn't you mark q pack of
cards and get them to play high?
Then, when you have taken all his
ready money and landed him in debt to
you so that he can't move, give him
back his cash if he promises not to
gamble again"
Rowell looked across at the subject
of their conversation. 81 don't think
would fatter him so much as to even
stock the cards on him. I'll clean him
out if you like. But it won't do any
good, MellsE. Look at his eyes. The
insanity of gambling is in them.
used to think if 1 had one hundred
thousand dollars would quit. I'm OLD
L. ~, =, ~
I'd gamble if had million"
81 stopped after / was your age"
"Oh, yes, Mellsh, you are the vlr
tuous exception that proves the rule
You quit gambling the way the ole
woman kept tavern" and Rowell cas-
glance over the busy room.
Mellish smiled somewhat grimly
then he sighed. ~ wish l was out 0
of it." he sighed. But anyhow, yol
think over what I've been talking
about, and if you can see your way t,
giving him a sharp lesson l wish yol
would"
"All right, will, but merely to cas-
your tender conscience, Mellish. It.
no use, tell you. When the snak
has bitten the victim is doomed
Gambling isn't simple thing like TIL
opium habit"
Reggie Forme, the bank cashier, rcs
nt last from the roulette table. He wa
flushed with success, for there was
considerable addition TO the sum h
had in his pockets when he sa4 dowr
He hattered himself that the resul
was due to the system he had elabol
ately studied out
Nothing lures a man to destructio
quicker than system that can b
mathematically demonstrated II give
an air of business TO gambling whic
is soothing to the conscience of a pc
son brought mp on statistics. The syl
ten generally works beautifully at frs
and then cog slips and a financii
cycloue strikes you before you kno'
where you are. AS young Forme le
the table he felt hand on his shoulde
and locking around met the impassiV
gaze o! Pony Rowell.
you're young Mt the business,
see. - said the professional, quietly.
"Why do yon think that2" asked I'll
gorngster, coloring, for one likes to