The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-08-23
SOME OF 11scoLN's CHEQUES.

dining from home with some friends,
and returning early, dropped into a
fashionable cub in the neighborhood of
Covent garden, where l knew some kim
dred spirits were in the habit Of con-
gregating. My steps led me to the card
room, less with the intention of playing
than Of Willing half an hour pleasantly
away.
For a, time L amused myself by
watching the play at one or the other
of the many well-filled tables, and was
thus employed when l was invited to
a game by an individual who was quite
a stranger to me, and who, 1 became
aware, had been cycling me inteGt1y
for several minutes. Despite a polite
and gentlemanly bearing, the man had
such an unprepossessing look about
him that l did not at once accede to his
request. He was pressing, however,
and, after some little hesitation, l
yielded.
He was a good player, handling his
cards cleVerly and still with skill, and
his performance did not in the least
bear out my haif-formed idea, that he
was a possible sharper. On the CON-
tfary, his play was perfectly square
and ABOVE board, and was not open to
suspicion in the slightest particular
Luck, however, was entirely against
him, and in less than an hours play he
left off considerably in my debt.
Look here, he said, at the finish of
a game for increased stakes. Il owe
you f35. Come round to my rooms and
| VIII pay you at once. My place is not
far from here.
Naturally somewhat anxious to get
what was due me, 1 acquiescad and fol-
lowed him out OF the club. L did noa
take particular notice of the route we
pursued, as my companion walked fast,
and l experienced some difficulty in
keeping up with MIN; but, after passing
through several bysidreets, he suddenly
pulled up before the door of a house in
what appeared to me quite a. deserted
neighborhood.
Taking a latch-key from his pocket.
he n0iselessly opened the door and led
the way up a flight of stairs into a lunlN
and scantidy furnished room, which had
more the appearance of d workshop
than a. dwelling. l was not a. little
surprised and somewhat alarmed to
find that he locked the door immediate
~ upon our entrance and pocheted the
key.
Noticing that 1 was Watching his
movements he smiled reassuTingly, and
drawing forward a. couple of chairs,
Which he placed ONE on each side of a
table that stood in the center of the
room, bid me be seated. Mechanically
l dropped into one of the chairs, while
he went to a drawer, and opening it.
produced a pack of cards.
We will play double or quits" said
the. stranger, in a quiet but command
ing tone.
TO this 1 demurred, as the idea did
NOT at all commend itself TO my judg-
ment.
Indeed, I would rather not" re-
piled, at once: Il do not care for that
Kind of play"
-.oh, but 1 am sure that you will
oblige me- he said. insinuatingly,
s!hudiing HE cards as he spoke
/ do not know what it was, but some
thing in the mans manner seemed 10
warn me that 1 had better humor him,
SO, after little proteStation, 1 gave
way, and permitted him to deal out the
cards. We played, and he won.
THE game is yours and we are quits, -
l said, somewhat chagrined, getting up
from my chair at the conclusion of the
game and moving toward the door.
IF you will undo this lock 1 will now
go about my business"
''Ha, har' laughed the fellow, drop
ping his polite bearing and assuming
a treatening attitude. You're not going
to get off SO easily as that, 1 assure
JSu. w nat 10 you ouppOSS nave
brought you here for?''
For no improper purpose, I trust, "
l replied, thrusting my hands into my
pockets as the thought occurred to me
that robbery was his game.
Il will tell you" said he, coming close
to me and speaking in my ear; I'm
going TO take your life
[ gave a start, and looked at the man
amazedly, wondering whether he was
mad or a fool A strange look about
his eyes that I had not before noticed
strongly impelled me to the former con-
ciusion, though 1 endeavored to per
suade myself that the latter was the
case.
You are joking" 1 accordingly said,
with a sorry attempt at a smile.
On the contrary, l was never more
serious in my life" he replied. Il will
give you a proof OF it, AS he spoke he
drew a revolver from beneath, his jack
ct, and levelledj it at my head. 7 have
only to pull this trigger and you are a
dead mani" he remarked coolly, but
don't want TO do the thing in that
way, and besides, [ mean to give you
a chance" he added. Look here: I
am fond of cards, and you play well.
We will have one more game. If you
win, you go free; lose, and l proceed
with my purpose What say you TO
that? You hesitate. Very well. 1 will
give you one minute in which to make
UP your mind. Unless you consent with