The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-01-30

| would allow MN TO pay for the drinks
in case he failed to call the exact num-
Der. We both demurred, but the Swede
insisted and chose 81. Sure enough,
| that was the number again. The slick
| looking friend became more interested
ut this, and volunteered that the Swede
| could not do it again, and that he would
bet any amount of money that he
couldn't. l said nothing, and the
Swede said he never gambled, but was
sure he could guess the correct num-
Der.
Our friend excused himself for a mo-
ment to run across to the drug store,
but asked us TO wait for him. Now
this fellow looked to me thoroughly like
a sharper, and when the Swede eX-
planned the dice trick to me during his
absence | could scarcely contain my
self.
"Ay don't vanten win his money from
him." said the Swede, but l can do Diet
ever time. Ay learn Diet in Moo York.
Har been de way to doot."
You see one side of the dice added to
the one just opposite will always make
seven, and the three added together will
always make 21. Much as l have
shaken dice this never occurred to me-
When our friend returned and offered
to wager $50 that the Swede could not
guess the number again l was forced to
turn my head to conceal my laughter.
The Swede said he was sure he could,
| and did not want to win the mans
money, whereupon the stranger be-
came trifle sarcastic and made few
remarks about peoples nerve that were
decidedly distasteful to me. That
Swede called me to one side and asked
my advice. Now 1 may be wrong, but
have no sympathy with what are
known as fresh" people. The Swede
had only $40. and just made up my
mind that we would let the slick man
lose his entire $50, so gave him $40
more.
1t was decided to let the bartender
count the dice, to make sure of no mis-
take. Poor fellow, | really began to
feel sorry for the man of polish, and
half made up my mind to return my
ten dollars of the winnings, accom-
panied with little good advice not to
go and do it again.
The Swede turned the dice box upside
down and guessed 81; the bartender
lifted it off, displaying a four, one and
six on the top side, making a total
of II. The dice We're turned over, and
you have probably at some time had
that peculiar feeling, wondering how
it happened-there was three, five
and one, making nine. The total, you
see, was 20. No one said anything for
moment, and the bartender quietly
gave the slicklooking man the money.
lie courteously bought the cigars, and
bid us good morning.
The poor Swede, his heart was
broken. He had lost all the money he
had in the world and had long jour
ney before him. He said he had a
railroad ticket, but not even money
to provide himself with a meal. AL
though he caused me to lose ten dol
lars, / really felt sorry for him and
gave him another dollar to get some
thing to eat. That seemed TO cheer him
up little. He gave me his name and
the place where he was going to work,
saying he would send me the money,
and l then babe him bood-by.
Last night Wilson called to see me.
"Well, C1lrio, how did the expert
ment work? Did you succeed in being
buncoed"
Not much. / never even saw con-
fdence man. Guess you were trying
to play practical joke on me-"
mo, l was not. Did you follow my
instructions
ITO the letter"
That's strange. You must try it
again. So your venture was fruit
less ?"
well, no. it was not altogether fruit
less. A rather peculiar circumstance
happened" and explained all that had
taken place from the time l left the
depot. When l had finished Wilson
looked at me in blank amazement for
a moment and then lapsed into a con-,
vulsive fit of laughter.
Now ! don't like being ridiculed and
never did, and as could not see where
the joke came in insisted upon an OK
PLANTATION.
"Curio, my boy" said Wilson, you
are all object of pity" That made me
mad, but l kept quiet. "How it is pos
sible for man of your apparent in
telligence to know so little l can't con-
ceive"
l muttered something about people,
who were not fond of my style not be-
ing compelled to cultivate me, but Will
son only laughed.
Il suppose you have been wonder
ing ever since how it happened"
To be perfectly honest l had, but 1
wouldn't tell him so.
''You see, Curio, you ran up against
the little game known to confidence
men as IT and b (top and bottoml :.
You are not the first victim. Your
Swedish friend is one of the best-knowni
confidence 'steerers' in Chicago, and
the slick man is his confederate. And
now, dear bay, the next time you go
out looking for confidence men leave
your money at home"
"That sounds well, but you haven't
told me yet how it happened"
Well, you see, while you were turned
away trying to conceal your laughter