The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-21

every one he meets; never treacherous
and devoid of duplicity.
Fine Looking Man.
Pat Sheedy is 50 or 60 years of age, a
tall, heavy-set man, with gray hair, n
smooth-shaven face and with the cold,
blue eye Characteristic of the gambler Of
sensational literature. He Is always fash
ionably, though never hashlly. dressed.
wears little or no jewelry, and when en-
gagged at his avocati0n, either as banker
or player, his face is as impasslve as
moulded bronze. With his friends In his
hours of relaxation his eyes light up, his
laughter is frequent and anecdotes OF his
worldwide experience flow from him.
Born in Ireland Sheedy came to this
country in his early youth. 1t has been
said that he came of fine family. and
that he was intended for the priesthood.
He is we'll educated. and speaks French
almost as wen as English.
He was known as a gambler many years
ago. and has conducted gambling estab-
lishments in the West. in New York Sar-
atoga, Boston, Newport, Paris, France
and Cairo, Egypt. Incidentally he has
staked his money at faro in all the great
gambling centers. He has been worth
100000 and has been down to borrowing
car fare. He has had a royal palace for
his gambling house and has put up with
a little back room behind double locked
doors in a side street when the police
were momentarily expected.
once he published a newspaper. That
was for revenge. He tells about II. II
was in Hartford Conn.
Barred by other Gamblers.
II wanted to open up there" he says,
land the local gamblers standing in with
the authorities shut me out. bought an
evening paper to get even with the author
tiles. 1t cost me 5000 before sold out
and I was shot at twice, but l ran two
OF the men was after out Of town. Then
/ left"
During ali this time his reputation for
squareness grew. II was all based on a
peculiar standard of his own. He origi-
mated a code Of morals for himself. This
was briefly: "It is all right to do things
wheh you are doing business, but when
you pass your word 10 a friend, keep It.
Thus II was that bankers and thieves.
business men and confidence men began
10 trust the man. And thus IL was he
gained friends in all ranks. This re-
bounded to his profit, for II became a
familiar experience for hun 10 gamble
for some man willing to risk money, but
without sufficient confidence TO play HIM
self. Many night behind Sheedys chair
in New York gambling houses wealthy
men Of almost every walk of lfe have
stood breathiess watching the gambler
hazard large sums on the turn OF the
cards. The money belonged 10 the men
behind the chair. II Sheedy won the gains
were divided; II he lost there was the ex-
perience for those who had advanced the
money. In addition, the, loser had the
comforting thought that he had lost hon
estly. He was willing to trust the player
again and again.
This confidence has been illustrated IN
ether ways There was one time III Boss
ton when Sheedy had met with "A streak
OF hard luck, and found himself one mofn-
Ing after twcnty-four- hour bout with
the tiger" absolutely penpiless IL .wRs
necessary for him TO obtain money W get
10 New York. While he was medftntlng
he noticed that he stood In front OF a
hank. After little more reflection he
entered and asked 10 see the presiden..
lie was shown into room occupied by
"a busy curt old man. who snapped out.
well what Is it7'
II would like 10 borrow 5000" said
sheedy
whats your security"
My Wordw
The banker wheeled around IN his chair
20 look az this strange visitor. lie thought
OF crnnks
cant negotiate tbat here" be said
Rflmly. GOOD morning"
"fVait a moment" interrupted The g8m.
lier And fhcn DE- spoke foT u minute o.
two mentioned some names ana recalled
some nci4fnta.
"ohf exclaimed ths banker = hay'
heard " sou,*