The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1897-01-01
approached the table and Iooketr on at

approached the table and looked on at
tho game. 1t seemed very simple.
When the IDEAL" was through, the
red faced man put a temporary substitute
In the high chair, and merely glancing
at Chester's note Of introduction well
coined him with ELUSIVE cordiality.
Come this way. where we can chat
without interruption, said Mr.. Cof-
ferty, who was the red faced man, lead
ing the way into small poker room at
one side of the parlor suit.
The polished gamblers exceeding af-
liability quite won the young fellow,
who was at heart little more than q
sensitive boy and really suffering for
lack of q few kind words from some one
who would take even a pretended in
terest in him. In q very little while,
with hardly an effort at inquisition and
certainly none that his subject was con-
scious of, Mr.. Cofferty had possessed
himself Of all the salient points in the
young mans short but vicissitudinous
career in the metropolis. excepting that
Chester's pride would not admit Of his
humbling himself to the extent Of tell
ing how really desperate was his ex-
tremity.
\ In return Mr.. Cofferty talked good
deal about local politics in q general
way and was profuse in his promises to
do all in his power for his young friend,
not SO much ON account of the boss in
PRODUCTION as for his own sake. In few
days, "when the commissioner got back
-, l&N ferA 10 f1n
and, he flattered himself, not without
accomplishing something for Mr.. Sew
all.
A party of poker players coming in to
take possession Of the room, social con-
verse necessarily gave way to business.
MI. Cofferty and his visitor returned to
the parlor and stood near the roulette
table The game seemed to Chester even
simpler than the other at which he had
been looking, and he said, with little
nervous laugh:
''It almost tempts me to try my luck
or would if 1 did not feel that it would
be an ungracious thing for me to come
in as have and win your money"
"Oh," responded the old gambler,
with q genial smile, 'that is what they
all come here for. Have you ever
played?"
''Never."
"Well, would as friend advise
you not to begin, only you miailt think
mond but rather in the re- yh,'' re,
marked the boss s1nilingly l.; he stood
up to take leave of his visitor "You are
too much q man of the Wild to take
exception to him merely | account Of
his business and do not tOubt you and
he will like each other upon acquaint
ance. Go right up stairs and show your
note at the wicket and it will gain you
admittance at once. Good day, Mr.. Sew
all, good day"
s" Chester went away from the presence
somewhat dazed by those final instruc-
tions, and when he reached the street
looked with no little curiosity at the
superscription upon the note that had
been given him. 1t was addressed to
"Mr. Daniel Cofferty" at a certain
number ON Thirty-first street, not far
from Broadway. He went to deliver it
at once and readily found the indicated
number over q narrow stairway at the
side of saloon.
A burly man, with keen, hawklike
face, stood in the doorway, with his
hands in his pockets, but moved aside
sufficiently for Chester to pass, and
then turning eyed him sharply Oh he
assembled the steps. AT the top of the
flight was door, with bell pull beside
it and wicket in one of the upper
apanels. He gave tug at the bell pull
sand could hear little ''click," beyond
the door in response to which the wicket
opened and black face peered out at
him. Upon the exhibition of the note
the door swung open noiselcssly, and no
entered AS he did so he observed, with
little surprise, that tho door was
apparently nearly three inches thick,
plated inside with sheet OF iron and
occurred by formidable system of bolts,
chains and huge wooden bar A half
dozen steps along a narrow hall brought
him to another door, the entrance to
large and elegantly furnished suit Of
parlors, where there were already some
% or 80 men, few Of whom were
gathered about roulette wheel, but by
far the greater number clustered at
faro table.