The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-11-02
SAVED BY A GAMBLER
Life History OF Young Business Man
OF Butte Proves Interesting.

Life d1SCOfy VI a 4Ou1AS OusAAeeS ~~>~~>
OF Butte Proves Interesting.
"There's an odd case," said the big
policeman on the corner to a friend, as
he saw one of the best known young
business men of the city, whose plain
word Is good for a large sum at any OF
the banks, stop in front OF a saloon
and cordially shake hands with a man
known as professional gambler. With
out showing the least trace OF eua-
barrassmen%.
IT don't understand 1t at all" con-
tfnued the officer. ITO my positive
knowledge Phil (naming the business
man, never drinks. never touches
card, and Is in fact a model citizen, yet
he seems to be a great friend OF this
gambler.
I'm spite OF this, when he ought to
know that being seen with the fellow
is apt to hurt his credit. his word Is
good anywhere. and the banks are not
afraid to lend him money when ne
needs 1t in his business"
You are pretty wise. and you mean
well, Jack" gently remarked the man
to whom the officer was speaking, but
you don't know it all. Let me tell YOU
| something.
II happen to be pretty good friend
: of Phil's. and I violate no confidence
in stating that the man with whom he
is now talking-common gambler
though he is-was the making Of Phil.
HE actually set him up in business
| by giving him a little timely advice.
and it's no wonder Phil likes him and
is not ashamed to be seen talking to
him."
| "Oh fade away: you're Joking" and
the officer winked and smiled a broad
smile. "Say," he added, 1--WE been a
police officer for a good many years.
off and on. and I'll tell you gamblers
don't befriend anyone, nor set any man
up in business. They break 'em up.
though" and the officer chuckled at
his own joke"
But I'm not joking, not bit of it.
its just as I tell you; that gambler
saved Phil from a useless life and made
| a man of him. This is the way it was:
Several years ago. when Phil came
here, he was gambling for living, and
| in one way or another had managed to
get together considerable money.
| "At that time gambling was wide
| open in Butte; everything went, and
with it every cent the young man had.
Having been broke before, he was not
discouraged, knowing that he'd be on
| top again some time.
Before he made q stake however,
he fell sick, and for long time was
very close to death. AS he had no
money. he was dependent upon the
charity of his friends, but as he had
large number he wanted for nothing.
when he got on his feet again one Of
his friends gave him small sum Of
money. and Phil started out to break
| no no rl< cfr of
minus. and when he took a seat at the
faro bank the proprietor of the gamb-
ling house took particular notice of him,
he was SO thin and white.
"Phil was in the greatest kind Of
luck and hardly lost bet. AS the
evening progressed he grew fainter and
1 fainter, until finally he fell over in a
swOon.
'The boss gambler was witness Of
the scene, and it was he who gathered
up the young mans chips. cashed them
in and put the money in an envelope.
Then he called carriage and removed
Phil to hotel, where he took care Of
him for a week or 10 days.
when Phil recovered SO he could
sit up the gambler handed him the en-
velope containing the money-some-
thing like $500. all in bills-and gave
him in addition a lecture that Phi! tells
me he will remember all his life.
He told him he had no business
gambling, that 1t could result only in
financial. physical and mental ruin,
and that il he were wise he would
never touch another card or enter an
other gambling house.
"Phil was not used to this kind of
talk from man whose money he had
won. but he had the good sense to real
ize that it was well meant