The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-22
GAMBLED
ON OCEAN
LINER.
Mr.. Hill Of Philadelphia Lost
$1,000 in Game With Trio
Of Gard ShaTps.

New York, Feb. 2?.--In the smoking
room of the Oceanic, which arrived yes
terday, the gentry who live by their win
nings at cards piled their trade with
marked success during the voyage from
Liverpool.
The play was fast and high Half
thousand dollars once hung on the turn
OF card. Arthur Hill OF Philadelphia. IS
said 10 have lost $500. and the gamblers
who are credited with winning the stake
came hurriedly ashore and buried them
selves in New York.
Play began before the Oceanic was
hardly out OF sight OF tho English coast.
The name OF one Of the sharpers was add
ed 10 the regulaE passenger list after the
steamship was on tho ocean.
He had come aboard AZ the last mo-
ment. IL was reported soon after the
steamer sailed that there were three
gamblers on board--two brothers and a
third man. The man who last came
aboard was known TO the officers of the
steamship. having crossed the ocean be-
fore on one of the other steamers OF the
same line.
"CUT THE CARDS" rs STARTED.
on Wednesday, the first night out sew
eral men were in the smoking room.
game OF "cut the cards" was suggested
The man last aboard, and who may be
called the chief gambler. signined his
willingness to play. Mr.. Hill is said to
have offered TO join him. The men sat
down directly under the sign that IL post
ed To warn the unwary against engaging
i'm games OF chance with chance acouaint-
ances. A pack OF cards was produced and
play with high TO win began.
The men began TO cut the pack at doll
lar a play. and the stake was doubled
each time. The gambler frequently let HIS
opponent win. but as the stake grew to
hundreds he won consistently. Those who
watched the game said that the chief
gambler seemed able 10 cut the pack
each time just high enough TO beat the
others.
IL was late at night when the stake
was an even $500 MIR. I'm was cutting
with the chief gambler, IL was said. The
former cut first some spot card less than
a ten. The gambler carelessly lifted half
OF the remaining pack, showed the queen
of diamonds and drew in tho money.
PLAY DOES NOT STOP.
Soon after that the game stopped. But
thereafter the gamblers were the talk OF
the ship. Apparently, however, they were
not Stunned by Mr.. Hill. He was with
them I'm the smoking room again on Tues
day last it is reported. T ~. Russell, the
purseT. learned OF this. and called Mr..
Hill and the chief gambler into his office.
MIR. Russell said yesterday he asked Mr.
HIN If the game had been fair. and the
latter said he thought IL had been. He
a. ha hpr
said IL WAS nobody's business but his
own The gambler said If anybody thought
there had been cheating he would gladly
refund the winnings. Nobody offered a
complaint and he walked away.
Mr.. Russell made il plain that gambling
was not countenanced by the line. and the
game must not be resumed. Prominent
persons on board who would not permit
the use OF their names. said Mr. Hill lost
$500. They all agreed that he was good
loser. Whether other passengers lost 10
the sharpers could not be learned.
When the steamship reached her pier
the gamblers were among the FIRST 10
land. The two gamblers who arc supposed
10 be brothers gave addresses in New
York In declaring their baggage. One OF
them hurried of the pier after having
three pieces OF baggage passed. The de-
claration of the second man was still in
the hands OF the custom house men. and
his two pieces of baggage were pncalled
for when everybody else had left tho
pier
lie was looked for but could not be
found. Later I'm the afternoon a negro app
peared with the baggage keys. and the
pieces were passed. Then he took them
away
AT the address on the west side given
by the reputed CHIEF or the band lives
person OF The same name he gave, but
last night this person said he knew no
such person. and, for himself, he had
never been across the ocean. At the adj
dress given by the second man, a person
OF that name was found. lie admitted he
crossed on the Oceanic. but denied all
knowledge OF gambling on board
Mr.. Hin was accompanied by his wife
and daughter, and they left Immediately
for Philadelphia.