The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-14
SCHEME SHARPERS WORK
Saloon Keepers Are Their Special
Prey-one Time When the
Scheme Was a Failure.

saloon keepers should he ON their
guard against three sleek looking
chaps who are playing "a little game
that will result disastrously to those
who are tempted to invest in 1t. The
method of the strangers is unique.
one large. well dressed man drops into
place. orders a glass of beer and a
cigar and then Carelcssly engages the
man behind the bar in conversation.
winding up with an inquiry concerning
the time of the departure of certain
train.
IN a few minutes after, two others
enter and call for drinks. Then they
ask if they can play Il game of euchre
anywhere in the place. II such accom-
modations exist they are shown them,
and Just as they are about engaging in
n trio handed game, the man who
first entered asks if they would object
To his joining them. They readily ac-
uuieSce in his suggestion when, sud
denly, one of the others remark that
three handed euChue is not nearly so
interesting AS four-handcd game.
Mhereupon the landlord is invited to
join the party, just to make 1t 'inter-
csting."
The man who came in first. and who
appeared not TO know the others. smil-
ingly Invites the landlord to be his
partner against them. II the game IL
instituted things go on nice enough,
until the landlords partner has lone
hand. the best cards being the ace and
two bowers. Suddenly one of the op-
posing players says he will play
against him for the four points in
volved, and incidentally hints that he
has a winning hand. Number one says
that he will bet the cigars that he
holds the winning hand. Whereupon the
other replies:
"Oh, bother the cigars. I'll tell YOU
what Iii do. I'll bet you S2j, $50 or
500 that my hand will beat yours"
mo. | can't do that. But I'll wager
the price OF a box, say five dollars
The bet Is made and the partner of
the man who made the bluff holds the
stakes. Then a showdown follows and
the landlords partner wins the money.
AT this point the man who lost en-
cuses himself from the table for a
moment. and during his absence the
landlords partner innocently asks the
other who his friend is. The reply is
to the effect that he is no particular
friend, that he simply knows him to
be horse dealer and a man who
cares no more for a hundred dollars
than he does for hundred cents.
The absentee returns and the game
Is resumed Presently the landlord
holds dead sure lone hand. lie an
nounces that he will play it, when the
same fellow who lost the five says he
will play his hand against his. Before
a card is thrown he eXclaims that he
is willing to bet the landlord an even
hundred that he holds the best hand.
In the meantime the latters partner
asks if he will be permitted to look
into his partners hand, which permis-
sion is given.
Going over he urges his partner to
put up the money but if the latter hes
itates. then he says: "Well. here. You
put up ten and I'll put my ten with
yours. You're sure winner and you
know il. We've got a cinCh."
That's as far as a game, witnessed
by a Tribune reporter, got yesterday.
so that he is enViahle to know exactly
what sort of a>swindle the three sharp
ers intended 10 perpetrate, as the ef-
forts to involve the landlord i'm any
complication failed. 1t is more than
likely that the trio of sharpers are still
i'm town-and. i'm consequence, saloon
keepers should be ON their guard
against them.