The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-28

SHORTY SETTLES WITH THE BANKER.
the five" said Shorty, though 81 in vain
plucked his sleeve to get him away.
The spots remained Obstinately down.
-Four dollars on the deuce: fonr dollars
on the five" said Shorty.
No better luck
! Eight dollars on the deuce; eight dollars
on the five" said Shorty.
Whew, there goes more'n months paw. "
said the other players, stopping to watch the
dice as they rolled out with the deuce and
five spot somewhere else than on top. "And
his rolls beginning to look as if an elephant
had stepped on it. Now well see his sand. !"
Come, Shorty, you've lost enough.
You've lost too much already. Luek's agin
you,' urged 81 "Come away.n
Il amt gOin'," said Shorty, obstinateiy.
Now's my chance to bust him. Every
time them spots don't come up increases the
chances that they'll come up next time.
They've got to. They're not loaded; / kin
tell that by the way they roll He amt fin-
germ them; / stopped that when I made
him give 'em roilin' throw. instead O,
keepin' 'em kivvered with the box
He fingered over his roll carefully and
counted out two piles of bills, saying:
Sixteen dollars on the deuce; sixteen
dollars on the fve-spot. And / amt takin'
chances o. your jumpin' the game on me,
Mr.. Banker | want you to plank down S32
alongside o. Mines
Shorty laid down his money and put his
fists on 1t. Now put yours right there"
20, I've got money enough to pay you.
Don't be skeered," sneered the banker,
land you'll git it if you win it.''
You bet / will" answered Shorty.
And I'm goin' to make sure by havin' it
right on the board alongside o. mine. Come
down, now"
The proposition met the favor of the other
players, and the banker was constrained to
comply.
Now" said Shorty, as the money was
counted down, :. I've got Jest $40 more that
says that I'll win. Put her up alongside
The banker" was game He pulled out
roll, and said as he thumbed it over:
IN see your $50, and go you $50 better
that L win"
Shorty's heart beat little faster. All his
money was up. but there was the $50 which
the Deacon had intrusted to him for chari-
table purposes. He slipped his hand into his
bosom, felt it, and looked at ST. ST was not
looking at him, but had his eyes fixed on
part of the board where the dice had been
swept after the last throw Shorty resisted
the temptation for a moment, and withdrew
his hand.
Come down, now, " tainted the banker
" You've bowed so much about sand. Don't
weaken over little thing like $50 Pm
myself / am. The man don't
live that kin bluff me-"
The taunt was too much for Shorty. He
ran his hand into his bosom in desperation,
o6 out he oil Of
and laid it on the board.
ST had not lifted his eyes. He was wonder
ing why the flies showed such liking for the
part of TIE board where the dice were lying.
Numbers of them had gathered there, APP
parently eagerly feeding He was trying to
it.
He had been thinking of trying a little shy
at the four-spot himself, as he had noticed
that it had never won, and two or three times
he had looked for it before the dice were put
in the box, and had seen the banker" turn
it down on the board before picking the dice
up. A thought flashed into his mind
The banker" picked up the dice with
seeming carelessneSs, dropped them into the
box, gave them little shake, and rolled them
out. Two threes and six came up. The
g bankers" face lighted up with triumph,
and Shortys deadened into acute despair
i guess that little change is mine,r said
the banker" reaching for the pile.
Z" Hold on minnit, Mister" said ST, cover
ing the pile with his massive hands Shorty,
look at them dice. He's got molasses on one
side. You kin see there where the flies are
satin' it''
Shorty snatched up the dice, felt them, and
touched his tongue to one side That's so,
sures you're foot high" said he, sententi-
ously.
Just then someone yelled:
Scatter! Here come the guards +"
All looked up. A company coming at the
almost upon them. The
banker" made a final desperate claw for
he money, but was met by the heavy fist of
Shorty, and knocked on his back Shorty
grabbed what money there was on the board,
md lie and 81 made burst of speed which
ook them out of the reach of the proves in
few seconds Looking back from safe dis
ance they could see the ''bankers" and
OF of the more luckless ones being gathered
ogethert to march to the guard-house.
Another detachment of horny-handed
aborers for the Notifications" said Shorty
,rimly, as he recovered his breath, watched
hem and sent up yell of triumph and
Ierision. Another contribution to the
harity fund.-" he continued, looking down
t the bunch of bills and fractional currency
Il his hands.
Shorty" said ST earnestly, "promise me
olemnly that you Ii never bet at chucll-a luck
gin as long as you live"
Isl, don't ask me impossibilities. But I
Tant you to take every cent o. this money
nd keep it. Don't you ever give me
lore'n So at time, under any consideration.
)on't you do it, if l git down on my knees
nd ask for it. Lord, how nigh l come to
,sin' that $50 o. your iather's."
ITO be contiRuedl
Col JACK CHUM, of Kentucky, who
,as prepared to Whin q clear majority