Evening star., 1896-01-11
A ROUNDABOUT WAY.


Oh Working a More or Less Unsuspect-
Ing Victim and Its Success.
A Star reporter was standing in front
of an uptown hotel the other evening when
ne was approached by party who had evil
IDENTIFY seen better days, although it could
be seen that he was not yet quite on the
bottom round of the ladder. He was of the
shabby genteel order. and might have been
u man waiting for an office, or just an or
oH ary type that rever worries much over
what he is going to eat so long as he can
get plenty to drink. He engaged the re-
porter In a desultory sort of conversation
a few minutes then became rather con-
fidentia1.
win you." he sad, quite mysteriously,
step INTO the nearest place and have
matter I'd like to talk to you about
Hum hesi.atcd the reporter "the near
est place is the hotel office and there is
rothing there except water, a liquid, by the
cL lily weather.
The reporter was rather pleased at this
sally, because he thought he had thrown
the applicant off the track, but he was
mistaken.
What pity" sighed the genteel one.
Really, Il think Washington hotels are
lacking in accommodations. don't you?"
We might go to some more distant
point suggested the reporter, with smile,
and interested in knowing how it was going
to come out.
II hadn't thought of that" laughed the
shabby genteel; ''of course, we can go. /
I know place right around the corner. 4"
DO they know your ventured the re-
porter
The face Of the shabby geateel fell al
most to the ground before he caught it.
YES" was all he said but there was a
thousand times more than that in the tone.
That will be all right the reporter has
tened to assure him. "I'll go you one for
luck"
The shabby genteel could not be too
grateful. ard within a few minutes he
was on the outside of a hot toddy and was
feeling coed all over.
by the way" he said. toying with his
empty glass as if he wished it weren't
empty. what 1 waEted to ask was some
thing about poker playing"
"Well, what was it?'
did you ever trump your partners ace?''
''Did you ever open a full house with a
Often
Did you ever beat royal flush With a
lone hand?"
lou te frequently"
The face of the shabby genteel was grow
ing clouded.
Did you ever" he saii. "hold five aces
and draw for three pair?"
"A dozen times in one evening, I should
say"
did you ever bluff with a right bower??"
'Often.
The shabby genteel was getting nervous,
and let go of his empty glass.
Did you ever" he asked, hopelessly, "go
it alone on a pair of deuces?"
More times than I can count" and the
reporter looked like an old sport who had
been through the mill.
The shabby genteel was desperate.
Say" he said, letting little ray of hope
come into his eyes, did you ever play a
game of poker?'
Never in my life." replied the reporter,
giving fine imitation of a man adhering
str city to the truth.
The shabby genteel grabbed his empty
glass and thumped 1t on the counter emf
phatically.
Shake" he exclaimed, extending his
hand: shake, my dear friend, on behalf Of
restored confidence. I was afraid you
We're going to say you were a poker player,
ard under the circumstances l should have
been compelled to have called you a liar
from Baltimore and refused absolutely to
have taken another drink with you. Now
1t is entirely different and feel that it is
pleasure and an honor, SIR and he
showed his glass toward the barkeeper, and
the reporter nodded in the same direction,
in response to the barkeepers anxious look
Of inquiry.