Daily camera., 1897-12-29
WHO WON?
BY George Hde.

lightning denust. 100 cool
for sitting outside, and yet not cool
enough to have good head of steam on
l don't know what to do these evenings
/ started in to reaG last evening, but it
hurts my eyes to read by gas light"
Lets go to some thc-ay-ter," said the
veterinary student, who was becoming
well acquainted with the members OF
the Alfalfa hotel colony. Il saw a
blamed good show down street here the
other night for 80 cents"
The theater has very few attractions
for me any more" said doc" Horne,
shaking his head. "It seems to me it
If | could see an occasional perform
ance of an o:c comedy or good Shake
spearean production, l wouldn't mind
going. Nowadays, however, every
company consists of star surrounded
by u lot of inferior actors. When | was
with Mr. Childs in Philadelphia we used
to have some beautiful performance by
ihe old stock company, and l have al
ways claimed that any member of that
company could give points on acting to
one of the stars of the present time
yes, SIR
What Childs was that?" asked the
dentist.
My dear sir, there was but one
Childs-George William Childs."
What were you doing with him?'
Il did his dramatic criticisms for 4
short time. 1t was very pleasant en-
ployment, too, but | had more lucra-
tive position offered me in New York,
and | accepted. All, those were the
days of the drama! We don't have
actors and actresses nowadays to COM
pare with the elder Booth, Warren.
Fechter, Wallack, Laura Keene. Mrs.
Drew and some of those old-timcrs."
In tell you what we can do said the
freckled boy, who had not been su11i-
GENTLY interested in Docs" remarks
on the drama. I'VE can go up to my
room and have a nice, quiet, little game
of poker"
IN go you if you make ii easy sale!
the dentist.
"Gentlemcs, you are not going to
draw me into any gambling game. are
you?" asked Doc" with Il wink at the
dentist. Il haven't handled the cards
days on the Mississippi-you must re-
member that. If you'll promise to give
me some information about the game
SO | can brush up, may" ~
Come Off" exclaimed the frcclllel
boy. You could write a book about
the game of poker. Don't give US any
of that con talk"
Doc" laughed heartily.
Il don't know about this poker game, "
said the veterinary surgeon in the eau
tious manner of one who seemed to
have suspicion that his new acquaint-
ances were bunko men.
"Oh, that's all right" said the dem
tist. We'll play an easy game-penny
ante. You can't lose anything at that"
Il lost seventeen one night said the
veterinary student.
"Oh, you've played this game, have
you? l thought you didn't know any
thing about it."
well, that was one of the few times
/ ever played"
IF you have played the game don't
be ashamed of it," said Doc Horne.
1T has ruined great man. good men,
of course, but think of the number of
young fellows it has started in business.
The only request | would make is that
the limit be small. | insist on ten
cent limit This is game among
friends, and we are playing for enter
tainment and not for money"
"Oh, nobody ever plays for money
said the veterinary student, quietly
Doc began to suspect that their new
acquaintance had more knowledge OF
suspect.
The four climbed the stairway to the
freckled boys room. a small square
table, with whitish stains all over it,
was moved out from the wall. AS there
were but two chairs, the dentist went
to his room and brought two more.
The freckled boy produced a box OF
chips and a deck of cards. Each card
had railroad advertisement on the re-
verse side.
I'll be banker" said the boy. stack
ing the chips with deft movements,
showing that he had practiced.
'All right" said the dentist. 81 sup
pose the bank is good for any amount"
Buy your chips said the boy,
briskly. The dentist was at the right
of the freckled boy, the veterinary stu
dent was at the left, and Doc" Horne
faced him.
"Give me dollars worth of your
best chips" said the student.
Better take so cents WORTH said
the freckled boy. Not very many
chips here" The players each bought