The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-04-13
WITH MARKED CARDS.
A Gamblers Attempt to Reform a
Fallen Bank Cashier.

"Pm bothered about that young fell
1ow," said Mellish early one morning
to the professional gambler, Pony
Rowell.
"Why?"
HE comes here night after night,
and he loses more than / imagine he
can afford. He has no income, as far
as can find out, except what he gets
as salary, and it takes a mighty sight
bigger salary than his to stand the
strain he's putting on i.
''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 would let it trouble
me, if were you, Mellish."
Nevertheless it does. 1 have ad-
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.
II must confess l don't quite under
stand you, Mellish, long as l have
known you. In your place, now,
would either give up keeping a 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 at 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"
Its all right with old stagers like
you 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"
Eyes, thought that was what you
were leading up to-" said Rowell,
thrusting his hands deep in his
remember What did you want me to
do?"
II wanted you to give him a sharp
lesson. Couldn't you mark 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 l
would flatter 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 l had enc hundred
thousand dollars would quit. I'm old
enough now to know that / wouldn't
I'd gamble if had million"
81 stopped after l 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 Rovell cast
a glance over the busy room.
Mellish smiled somewhat grimly,
then he sighed. ~ 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 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. He was
flushed with uccess, for there was a
considerable addition to the sum he
had in his pockets when he sat down.
He flattered himself that the result
was due to the system he had elabor-
ately studied out.
Nothing lures a man to destruction
QUICKER than . system that can be