The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-07-31


the Battery. The captain and owner,
being himself a member of the sport
Ing fraternity, had scented a good
thing for himself when the sudden
activity of TIE police, due to legislative
investigation, had resulted in the clos
ing of the city gambling rooms. He
had therefore summoned q few of the
professional gamesters and quickly i'll
terested them in his venture. They
were to run the games" while he
would run the boat" as one of the
men tersely put it.
To this end the forward cabin had
been deliberately fitted up with the
necessary implements, all of which,
however, We're of the portable order,
in case of emergency. There We're two
faro dealers, two roulette wheels and
number Of tables for poker. AS the
boat already enjoyed the advantages
of bar license liquor could be had on
demand. There We're many electric
lights, but the windows were closely
curtained. lest too much of an illumina-
ton should attract the suspicion OF the
harbor police.
Interference, however, was scarcely
probable, for the captain had cunning
ly devised plan whereby the nefari-
GUS traffic was concealed. He had
early in the season abandoned all regu-
lar trips and advertised his boat to hire
for private excursion parties, and so
careful was he that in furtherance Of
his scheme he nominally entertained a
different society" or Club" each
night, and admittance was strictly by
ticket. BY this means it was very diff
ficult for any but the "elect" to get
aboard, as the disposition of the ''tick-
cts" was solely in the charge of cho-
sen and trustworthy few.
On this occasion there was really a
private excursion party on the Siren.
The Burglars Social union had char
tered the boat, paying round sum for
the privilege of holding a meeting be-
yond the prying eyes of the police a
part Of the agreement being that the
gamblers might run their games as
usual, the members of the B. S. o.,
however, being the only players. 1t
was because of the suspicious charac-
tiers of these gentlemen that the cap.
tain had preferred to pick them up in
small parties as he slowly worked his
way down the river rather than to
| allow so many crooks to get aboard
from one dock, where a stray police.
man might recognize too many of
] them.
IN J,o
stairway which led to the saloon and
stood for moment looking about him,
he was little surprised at the pros
pect. The faro and roulette games
were well patronized, and several
games of poker were in progress. Yet
the quiet, gentlemanly behavior of
all in the place made it difficult to be-
lieve that he was in the presence OF
the principal criminals out of prison
His entrance attracted scarcely any
attention. Two or three turned and
looked at him, but, failing to recognize
him, reverted to their games.
"Quite family party, amt it?" sale
Slippery Sam in lowered tones.
"a most extraordinary group,
provided these men are really crimi
nals.''
"Well we like the word crooks bet
ter" said Sam suggestively, "an ii
you don't mind I'd rather you'd use it.
"Why, certainly, if you desire it,
said Mr.. Mitchell. "But what is til,
difference?"
This seemed to be poser for Sam
who shifted uneasily moment
searching for a satisfactory reply
which finally shaped itself thus:
''Well, you see, | amt no scholar, 81
1 amt good at definitions. I've spent 81
much time in Jail an the prison libra
ry, as rule, is so meager that
might say my education's been neglect
ed. But there's a point of difference
that has weight here tonight, an tina
l can tell you. You see, criminals il
what the judges calls us, an crooks il
what we calls ourselves. Are you on?'
"Not fully. Make it palmer"
"Why, don't you see if one of thi
crowd heard you talkin about Grim
inals' he'd twig you in minute? He't
huOW you WASH CFOOk yOuESell
an that'd be bad"
"Ah, yes, of course. Evidently tn
less l have to say the less likely will
be to get into trouble by making mis-
takes"
j Yes, but don't talk too little neither
If you're too still, they'll be on to yo1
just as quick as if you open your tral
too wide. But you was askin if thes
men are all crooks. Yes, sir, an
more skillfuller crowd in their wa
don't exist. Now, there's man owe
there by the roulette, the chap wit
the long tailed coat an the chokel
Size him up, an what do you make hi
total?'
, DO you mean what position in lif
+ would | accord to him? Well, that
| not an easy problem at any time, an
under present circumstances it be
! zones doubly difficult Yet l must cor
. fess that he seems strangely out o
v place here, for do you know-it ma
. make you laugh to hear it Shout
take him for Il Salvation Army man"
, Say, mister you're bird, you are