Evening star., 1898-10-15

II.
was an English capitalist, who wrote a
pook ABOUT this country upon his return to
England the book failing to specify, how
ever, the amount in sovereigns the writer
of 1t had dropped to the Chicago hotel
clerk When merry with wine, this ex-
hotel clerk and card sharp was once known
to boast that he had drilled more than
$4,000 in all out of the guests of the hotel
by which he was employed.
A Fool and His Money.
The dissolute son of the millionaire piano
manufacturer met this hard proposition in
the shape of a finished sharp on the steam
er the first day out, and was fascinated by
him. They were at poker within two hoars
after the meeting, and at first-for nearly
haif of the voyage, in fact-the gambler
was content to pose in the card room as a
heavy loser, which, in fact he was He
condescendingly allowed the rapid young
man at the other side of the tablet WAS
tWo-handed game throughout-to win
from him nearly $4,000, most of it in cash
ana tfe remainder in drafts. AS the young
man had been steady and prodigious loser
at every game of chance, including horse
racing, in which he had become involved
ever since his majority. he was naturally
flushed with victory over his winnings and
the men who saw it ali say that his braga-
dccio was something painful to hear and
witness in view of what came later On
the fourth day out he began to lose all of
his winnings back. On the fifth day he was
&fo,ouO In the hole, for which he gave pcr-
fectly coilectible drafts on fis father. He
was travelling alone. but a number of his
fellow VoyagerS who knew his father got
at him and tried to induce him to quit the
game The sharper, also, feeling that he
had won enough for one cruise advised
the young man to abandon the game
Il can't. of course. throw up the cards
now 'hat am such a heavy winner re
| marked the gambler with every appear
ance of generosity, but I'd advise you to
quit NOW. | am astonished that | should
have permitted myself to get into this so
deeply. 1t is contrary to my custom, l as
sure you"
We'll play on until we sight the Lizard"
replied the reckless young chap. doggedly.
DO you know the man you're playing
with inquired some of the passengers who
tried to pound sense into his brandy-in-
hamed head when they got him aside.
No; neither do l know you'' was his
invariable reply. Il don't care a d-n
whether he's all right not. He can't
pay any better poker than l can. I'd take
it kindly if you'd all mind your own bus
inesS.'
Heavy Loser.
There was nothing. of course, to be done
with a man who talked in this fashion, and
SO he was permitted to go his foolish way
without any further expostulation on the
part cf the men who knew his father.
The young man quit the game only when
the steamer had hauled into the harbor of
SOUTHAMPTON and the lighters were along
Z I'M q
which was in drafts upon his father in
New York. When the passengers We're
about to go over the side-the rlroffgate
told this end of the story himself-the gam
bier called him into a corner and said to
him.
You are to understand that these win
nlngs have made from you irk me good
deal. L would rather surrender half of
them to you, for / am informed that YOU
have lately been at odds with your father
Tor drawing very heavy sums upon him.
At your wo~d, III divide with you
You wait until I dc the baby act be
fore you cut in with any proposition like
that" was the reply the gambler. who no
doubt had the cashabeness of the drafts
mere at heart than the interests of the
youth he had Skinned received from
his victim. The drafts are as good as
Bank of England notes. I'll go along with
yon to see that You get them honored''
This the young man did when they got
up to London, and the gambler walked out
of the Little old Lady of Threadneedle
street with every silver the drafts called
for. He had performed one of the biggest
gambling couDs ever accomplished on an
Atlantic steamer. and he has not been
seen on the Atlantic since. He is said to
be now operating on the China steamers
that depart from San Francisco.
Big Fish.
No less a man than Chauncey NJ. Depew
fell into the hands of one of the most noted
of the Transatlantic card sharps on a voy-
age which he made to England about seven
years ago. Mr.. Depew smiles beatifcaly
even yet when he reflects upon how he
won 800 from Tom McGarrahan, who died
in affiuence three years ago, after having
followed the steamers for many years
McGarrahan was introduced to Mr. Depew
by one of the latters intimate chums and
fellow-voyagers. The latter, who was and
still is one of the elderly wags of New !
York, knew all about McGarrahan, and So
did a lot of other friends of Mr. Depew or |
board. These friends of the great Chaun-
cey, who knew about McGarrahan and his |
record, got together and made a pool that |
they would get the gambler and the great
nominator together at a game of baccarat |
Some of them bet that the thing couldn't |
be done. while others laid their money the
opposite way. The gambler McGarrahan |
wasn't informed of the scheme but he was |
simply introduced to Mr. Depew and given |
an opportunity to follow his natural bent |
McGarrahan was a polished, middle-aged
lriShman. a University of Dublin honor
man. as he took occasion TO prove several |
times for the benefit of doubters, and he |
charmed the eloquent Chauncey by his wi: |
and wealth of information in no time. Nc !
Garrahan did business with a number of |
gulliO'eS during the first part of the vow
age, but he manifested no disposition to |
engage his new friend, Depew, in a game of |
cards, ana the men who had bet that he |
would Were worried. On the third day out |
however the gambler, finding business !
bit dull, finally invited Mr.. Depew to Join |
him in a little game of baccarat. Mr. De- |
pew hesitated and consulted with his con
science for a moment. but the Irishman |
was persuasive.
Il have not hitherto played cards quite |
so publicly" said Mr.. Depew but. as ] |
don't suppose l am any better than my |
neighbors-wel, just a hand or two
Quit IA Winner.
The two men sat down at one of the
tables, and all of Mr.. Depew's friends who |
were in" the scheme gathered round |
to see how he made out Mr.. Depew won |
$500 from the Irish gambler within two |
hours. Then one of the stewards Informed !
him that his ward, who was taking the
voyage with him, was i'll in her state room
and Mr.. Depew hastily withdrew with his
winnings and was in attendance upon the
young woman for the remainder of the
voyage.
'Depew, said one of his friends who had |
been in the scheme to get the orator at a |
card table with a professional gambler do |
you know who that man was from whom
you won nice little bundle of five-pound
notes few days ago?''
"A Mr.. McGarrahan-a very clever Irish
man., was the reply.