The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-08-12
WITH MARKED CARDS.
a Gamblers Attempt to Reform a
Fallen Bank Cashier.


"Tm 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 I imagine he
can afford. He has no income, as far
as salary, and it takes a mighty sight
bigger salary than his to stand the
strain he's putting on it."
''What does he doc"
''lIe 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 would let it trouble
me, if were you, Mellish."
Nevertheless it does. l have adj
viscd 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.
II must confess 1 don't quite under
obuho yOus 4iOtiiohs lOnk 10 hdNC
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. /
wouldn't try to ride two horses of such
different tempers ut the same time"
1--WE never tried to reform you,
Pony" said Mellish, with reproach in
his voice.
mo; will give you credit for that
much sense"
''lt's all right with old stagers like
yon and 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
We're leading up to-" said Rowell,
thrusting his hands deep in his
trousers pockets. ''Im no missionary.
remember. What did you want me to
do?"
II wanted you to give him a sharp
lesson. Couldn't you mark a 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 fiatter 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, Mellish- Look at his eyes. The
insanity of gambling is in them. /
used to think if / bad one hundred
thousand dollars would quit I'm old
enough now to know that / wouldn't
I'd gamble if had million"
''lstopped after 1 was your age"
'Oh, yes, Mellish, you are the vlr-
tuous exception that proves the rule
You quit gambling the way the old
woman kept tavern" and Rowell cast
glance over the busy roomas
Mellish smiled somewhat grimly,
then he sighed. II wish / was out of
of it." he sighed. "But, anyhow, you
think over what I've been talking
about, and If you can see your way to
giving him q sharp lesson l wish you
would"
'All right ! will, but merely to ease
your tender conscience, Mellish. It's
no use. tell you. When the snake
has bitten the victim is doomed.
Gambling isn't a simple thing like the
opium habit"
Reggie Forme, the bank cashier, rose
at last from the roulette table. lie was
flushed with success, for there was a
considerable addition to the sum he
had in his pockets when he sat down.
He fattered himself that the result
was due to the system he aad elabor,
ately studied ont.
Nothing lures man to destruction
quicker than . system tina! can b