Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-04-08
A $500 Roll.

The sporting man stood at tn
bar toying idly with the dice-box.
L" Funny thing, joe" he remarke,
to the bartender, chow little salo0
gambling there is nowadays. Now
there was time, only few year
ago, when you couldn't go into sa
loon up this way without hearing tn
rattle of the dice-box.
a plainly dressed young mar
came in and ordered a drink o
whiskey. He gave it dash of alb
sinthe, tossed it off at one gulp
threw fifteen cents on the bar anC
glanced over at the sporting man.
"Shake ?" said the latter.
One or two to kill time" sale
the stranger.
The sporting man tossed half
dollar on the bar. The stranger die
likewise, the dice rolled out, and the
stranger won. He won the seconC
and third times, then lost twice anC
won once more.
"Lucky start" remarked the
sporting man. "Have something p
Nothing for me, thanks.n
The sporting man drank hot
Scotch, and the game went on
Half an hour passed away, and the
sport was $40 behind the game.
4" Make it a dollar and one shake, ~
he suggested.
I" l never change my game" said
the stranger.
Very WE'LL" said the sporting
faster, that's ALL"
This is fast enough for me-"
Have drink ?"
" No, thanks"
The sporting man drank another
hot Scotch, and the game went on
The luck was against him, and his
losses grew with every shake.
Once in a while he would m axe a
squirt and win three or four straight
pots. Then the stranger would win
half dozen to make up for it. Two
hours had passed, and the sporting
man was $40 in the hole. lie grew
excited.
"Pll shake you for $50 or quits"
he said, hauling out a roll as big
around as his leg.
never change my game" said
the other, quietly.
In another half hour the stranger
was $50 ahead, and the sporting man
was very nervous.
Friend, will you obiige me by
having drink ?" he said.
- really don't care to drink"
said the stranger, and the sport
drank his hot Scotch once more.
Then there was turn in the luck.
Ten dollars went back to the sport.
ing man in less than Is minutes
Ten more followed it, and the sports
brow cleared. The stranger never
turned hair. Gradually the half
dollars went back to their original
owner, and finally, after three hours
of play, the men were just where
they started.
"Now have a drink" said the
sporting man, with sigh Of relief.
"NO, thanks" said the stranger,
tossing half dollar on the bar and
picking up the box. "Let's shake"
In three throws he rolled out four
deuces. The sporting man threw
four trays and hauled in the money.
"Thank you," remarked the stran-
ger, " for pleasant evening""
You're not going to quit?" said
the sporting man in amaZement.
Cant do anything else. Only
started with half dollar. / couldn't
drink with you without asking you
to drink, and l couldn't do that
without using money which l meant
to give you a chance to win back.
Good day." and the walked out of
the saloon
Well, Pm blanked," said the
sport to the bartender. "To think
l had a roll of $500 up against his
80 cents. Great Scott! II the luck
hadn't changed, he might have had
the whole roll, and 1 never had a
chance to get more than that half a
dollar. Give me another Scotch"
And, looking very pale, the sport
drank up his liquor, buuoned his
coat and went out.