The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-04-21
CHAPTER XIV.

1t was Chester Sewall's first entrance
into gambling saloon. AS yet he did
not even know which of the games was
faro and which roulette.
The cOlOred servant who had admitted
and guided him to the parlor went to a
large red faced man, sitting in high
chair behind one end of the faro table
and whispered few words which
caused him to look over the heads of
the players at Mr.. Sewall with nod
and smile of welcome
The darky, returning to his place at
the door, reported in low tone to the
visitor:
He'll be wifi you in a few moments,
sab. :"
20 kill time the young man timidly
approached the table and looked on at
the game. 1t seemed very simple,
When the deal" was through the
red faced man put Il temporary substitute
in the high chair, and merely CHANGING
at Chester's note of introduction well
coined him with ELUSIVE cordially.
Come this way, where we can chat
without interruption, said Mr. COT
ferty, who was the red faced man. lead
ing the way into IL 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 n
sensitive boy and really suffering for
lack OF few kind words from some one
who would take even pretended i'll
terest in him. In 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 q good
deal about local politics in 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 III
PRODUCTION as for his own sake In a few
days, when the commissioner got back
to town, he would Ego to the 'front.'
and, he fiattered 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.
Mr.. 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 a little
nervous laugh:
1T almost tempts me to try my luck
or would If / did not feel that il would
be an ungracious thing for me to come
in as l have and win your money"
"Oh, F" responded the old gambler,
with a genial smile, that is what they
all come here for. Have you ever
played''
well, would as friend advise
you not to begin, only you might think
was afraid of your having beginners
sNnt VhASh 10 Sull W dlWdNS insure
winning. cannot say, though, that I
have found the saying hold good in ey
cry instance. "
Il believe Twill try the experiment.
AS you please. If you do, wish you
luck. But must ask You to excuse me
now, as l see my partner is making
signs for me to return and take INV
place. He wants to 20 out"
Mr.. Coferty went back to his high
seat, and Chester, placing himself in
'front.' OF the roulette wheel, threw upon
the table ~ bill, all he had except n
little small change. II fell in the center
OF one OF the numbered squares, and ne
let 1t lie where chance had placed II
The dealer twirled the wheel and spun |
upon 1t the little ball, which went roll.
ing jumping and gathering until finally |
II found iodgment in one Of the small |
marginal compartments, and the dealer
'ntang mp his yoice, announced in n