The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-30

was taken on board. At about two min utes
past 9 couple of city detectives in cltl-
zens' clothes stepped on the steamer. Then
the prospective voyage Of the Alvira be-
came somewhat of a mystery, which a
reporter proceeded to unfold.
"Come this way. ladies and gentlemen"
shouted a trained spieler The great
anti-monopoly scent ferry-boat Alyira is
again in business.
"The Alvira is going on pleasure trip.
Yes, l repeat, pleasure trip, and Is Will
only cost you 80 cents to have beautiful
ride on the bay.
"Only 90 cents. ladies and gents. which
includes steam beer and the privilege Of
hearing the band"
The "band" stood at one corner of the
wharf with harp and wiped the accumu-
latiDg drops of perspiration from its nose.
1t sighed, looked at Captain Boone in a
sort of willlget-my- pay-manner, then
struck IN that almost forgotten melody,
"Once Was Happy. but Now I'm For
lorn."
A thimble man bought ticket and went
on board. Then two others of his ilk fol-
lowed.
Pretty soon two tnree-ca rd-monte deal
ers appeared, towing three simple-looking
gents, who were filled with anticipation OF
fine time and numerous drinks OF good
red liquor.
The steerers. who had come down to see
that no one broke the wheel. were scat
tered about the dock, and in an off-hand
way singled out good, innocent oking
The CALL man appearing to be one of
that class was approached by gentleman
who, in an overflow of confidence. whis-
pered: Say, young fellow. do you gamb?"
"Do l what"
"Do you gamb? Ever bet, put any
money on wheels and things? Two to
one on the red, even up on the blue.
Whoop la, there you are, the gentleman
wins and the gambler loses! Sabe ?"
The reporter said that he understood.
"JuSt step over here, out of the wine"
said the steerer. you see we're going to
have few quiet little games on board;
just for pastime. you know. On, yes; per-
haps fellow may lose a few beans, but it's
nj brace game. It's square, young fellow;
sure?
By this time the band had tuned up It's
harp again and settled down to PLAYING
that seductive ballad, 1.-The Man Who
Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" and sew
eral rustics were observed to have become
enchanted to such degree that they pur-
chased two tickets.
When the police heard that the Alvira
was going to run floating gam bling house
they questioned Captain Boone. The cap
tain said that he did not care TO have any
trouble with the Police Department; that
he intended so run square games on board.
The man with the poker layout arrived
late. but he had time to say that his cards
were not marked that all he wanted was
a chance to get small draw-down from
the "gitty."
All manner Of sports and people who
did not know the nature of the excursion
they were about TO take went on board of
the steamer.
There's thimble-and- pin man." sug-
gested an officer. pointing out cadaver-
Ous-looking person with watery eyes ard
beautifully developed brandy-blossom.
Cant help it." said Captain Boone,
smiling; 81 guess they won't operate. l
can't keep them away II they pay their 30
cents"
"By all the gods. there's Ace-high NULL
gam, whispered slim man who knows
all the detectives who used to hang out in
front of the corner of Stockton ana Mar
ket streets when Paulsell d Carrolps faro
game was IN full blast just upstairs.
'And there's Jackpot Reilly" murmured
his companion.
Still the innocents came 10 the slaughter,
Gentlemen from Butte, Tulare and Ala
media counties bought tickets and hob
nobbed with skin-game mauipulasors, who
were as genial and anxious to accommo-
date stranger by pointing out the various
objects Of interest about the bay as a new
patrolman on The Chinatown beat Is to
show where the tan games used to be.
When the Alvira sailed the games
started up. but the awe-inspiring presence
OF two minions of the law prevented the
cappers from working so industrously as
they might have done under more favora-
BILE circumstances. No one got robbed.
and Sergeant Helms iorethought In pro.
tecting the unsuspecting among the exeur-
sionists was appreciated by those who
had been roped into paying fifty cents
for chance to attend a so-called respecta-
bic picnic.
Genroa and He iffIa Da-a.