The herald., 1898-11-07
THEY SHOOK THE DICE
G. WILSON PORTER SHOWN IN A
NEW LIGHT
A LITTLE DEBT TO PETER
Mr.. Martin Was in Earnest But MI.
Porter Believed the Whole Thing
Was in "Fun"

Forter Believed the Whole Thing
Was in "Fun"
Mr.. c. Wilson Porter, the swell New
Yorker, who has acquired so much noto-
riety lately, has had another chapter added
to his interesting Los Angeles career, one
which is said to be creating great amount of
perturbation in the California club, OF which
he Is a member. 1t all happened some days
ago, when he, with Peter Martin, the young
San Francisco millionaire, who is known as
sporty boy, and who is in the city, went the
rounds, or rather what is technically known
as going down the line" one night last
week The joyous couple visited one resort
place not tar from Spring and Second streets,
when Mr.. Porter is said to have borrowed
$40 gold piece from Mr. Martin
Then some one suggested throwing the
dice, and it was done on the proposition
that if Porter won he was to owe Peter
nothing, or if he lost he would owe forty
dollars. He lost. Then he is said to have
quits, and Peter won again. This made
$SO: One OF the couple is reported to have
had pumpkin on his head in place of a hat,
and the other hat full of popcorn, but
these make-ups did not stop the pastime
Again it was double or quits, and Porter lost.
That made $l60 Again they went at it, and
Peter won, making the New Yorker in his
game, but Porter had had enough, and he
stopped. Then Peter pushed a pad of pa
per over to the hanson cab owner and asked
for an acknowledgment.
This made Mr.. Porter thoughtful. He
was a little uncertain of himself, and he
asked for advice from one of the attaches of
the resort. Would you sign any paper if
II l..
he applied to for advice replied that if he
owed the money it would probably be right
enough to say SO in black and white, but
that it was no ones business but his own,
and declined to tell him what to do. So,
after due deliberaton, Mr.. Porter declined
to put his name.to an acknowledgment of the
debt, but is quoted as saying that it was all
right, and he would see Peter the next day.
There is little incident right here which
is spoken of with bated breath by those who
witnessed the affair. It is said that while
the dice were being rolled from their box
by Mr.. Porter that something happened
which attracted the attention of two of the
onlokers, and which was made the subject
of much adverse remark. But of this, the
least said now the better, perhaps, for it is
said that it will form part of the nvestiga..
ton which is reported to be contemplated
by those directly interested, possibly In
Guiding the directors of the California cluo.
The days came and went. Mr.. Martin
waited for his money, but it came not MT
Porter was about the club, and indulged in
his usual pleasantries when he met Peter,
but not word was said by him about the
money. Two, three, four, five and more
days passed and at last Mr.. Martin, needing
a pack of cigarettes, or a cocktail, and find
ing himself short the price, suggested to Mr..
Porter that it would be acceptible to him
if he would pay the little amount of $500.
Mr.. Martin never permits the sun to set
on such debt unpaid, and almost forgot
about the sum, for it is small amount to
him, but Mr.. Porter, who is credited with
barrels, if not hogsheads of money, seemed
to have let it slip his memory. Porter is
always considerate, and diffdent about such
matters, and with much hesitation and
beating about the bush, brought up the SUBJ
ject
"Why, dear boy" Mr.. Porter is said to
have replied, 81 don't owe you any money.
"Oh, yes! You refer to that dice game we
only in fun, you know. Twas not in earnest
Mr.. Martin was for once in his life sur
prised. Look here, Porter" he replied,
or with similar words, eff l had lost you
would have had my money on the nail, and
I certainly expect to have you pay me-"
'Why, Peter" came the answer from the
rich New Yorker, "no gentleman CANDLES
don't owe you anything. Ia, Ia" At
least that is what has gained currency as
Mr.. Porter's response.
Peter thought moment. He did not
tell Mr.. Porter what he thought, yet like
the man in "By the Sad Sea Waves he
had it in his mind all the same; but after
due deliberation, he thought the easiest
way out was to let Porter win it all back,
so he is reported to have said, 'Iook here,
ri mi 7
shake you again, double or quits" but the
New Yorker found himself bored by the
conversation and declined any more such
Stunts
The matter has created scandal in all
circles, from the high society circles down
to the barkeeps and gamblers.
There is not welchert in town, so far al
has beer. heard from, and that the first ex-
ample. of repudiating such debts should
come. from rich man, and California club
member, has shocked all strata of society. It
is the talk of the boudoirs, the clubs, the sa-
looms and other places not necessary to men,
tion. What most people say of Mr.. Porter
would not make good reading and would
hurt his feelings if it was printed. The
California club is close corporation about
it's own affairs, and no one knows what the
directors will do about it, but it is thought
that they will look into the matter and re-
quire an explanation fro~A both of the par
ties concerned. Mf Martin is said to be
positive as to his position in the matter, and
is backed up by the unequivocal testimony
Of at least two other men, who witnessed
the game.
One of these said to Herald man last
night: "There is no question in the world
but that Porter lost his money all right, and
then ssquealed and repudiated the debt
saw the whole affair and SO did friend of
mine. There was more than that to it. but
] do not care to be mixed up in the con.
troversy. But two of us, when the game
was going on, saw something which made
us talk it over afterward No, it was not
on Mr.. Martins part
Don't lose your vote, even though
you may have moved from one pre-
cinct to another and have neglected