New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-23
a VICTIM OF GOOD LUCK.
By BARRY PAIN

4 did" said the Criminal with sometime
rather near to an air of self satisfaction. az
struck him hard
You are poor and in rags Yet your pro
nunci2tion Of the aspirate your manner of fax
ing tea, and several other points about Won
would seem to indicate that you were once in a
better position"
i was"
And what brought you to poverty? What
nladdened you to crime? The answer is but too
obvious. Drink my dear friend! my poor
brother''
one moment said the Criminal rather en-
phasZing slight drawl; you have behaved in
friendly way TO me in Offering hospitality. and
l have shown equal friendliness in accepting il
But when il comes 10 brother il seems 10 me
that you are introducing 2 family complication
which is-er-u unnecessary. Now let me 4ut on.
question TO you. You assign. correctly enough
my downfall 10 drink. To what do you assign
the drink? Why did take to it,"
our natures are frai and sinful. Even for
the best of Us it is constant struggle with
the power of evil. We can but
Yes yes said the Criminal. all very true
no doubt. And, while granting it, 1 may tell
you that I assign my downfall to my natural
generosity and to quite exceptional stroke OF
good luck
Il don't think" said the Philanthropist
piaintively, that you should treat me in this
way, and make fun of a well meant effort to
help you the
My dear sir said the Criminal accuse me
Of anything else you like, but of an error
Of taste l speak in all seriousness and will |
prove it by telling You my story But let me
first inquire if you acquainted with the
American game Of draw poker, for the story
turns upon that"
The Philanthropist was quite well acquainted |
with it In his unregenerate days-as a young |
at Cambridge-he had played it a good |
deal But he was a little ashamed Of admit
ting it.
1t is part Of my duty" he said. Ito be ac-
quainted with the so-called rules of these de
PloTable gambling games. My knowledge is
superficial, Of course, and very much a matter /
Of hearsay."
That's all right" said the Criminal I
wasn't asking you to play. In the days Of my
prosperity l was in the habit Of playing poker /
every evening at the club l need not say that
by the rules Of the club poker most strictly /
forbidden; in fact, always called it CalifOr-
man whist IN consequence. The play was never
outrageous, but IL was fairly high sometimes
However, Ne could all afford TO lose except one
"A mere boy He vas a nice boy in many ways
but q to1L = far as the game went he was
not II or class. He always insisted on playing
and r. bly, lost
Naturally, Il you're playing too high for
your means you get nervous. and that means
that you get frightened out Is hen yod ought 70
stay with it, and you altogether ,verdo the
bluh yourself At least" the Philanthropst
added so I informed"
Correct. Well, We were playing one night
and pot Of about eco was opened for soy
ereign, and the opening raised twice-the
last time it was by the boy, and I could see
easily enough by his voice and manner that he
very good I had nothing that 1 could |
keep However, l had Of the boys
money than l wanted, and l thought I would /
help to make the pot up for him. So l said ]
didn't mind buying five cards for three SOW
ereigns, and put my money in
You were dealing, OF course, being the last
TO speak?"
Quite so. The opener on my left took two
cards. The next man had stopped out. The
first raiser also took two, the boy stood pat,
and helped myself to five. The opener bet,
was seen by the next man. and raised the limit
by the boy. I picked up my cards as a matter
OF form; had no expectation Of getting any
thing, and l had only come in 10 lose. And
there in my hand was a straight fush-the first
and only time 1 held one"
Joker in?" asked the Phianthropst.
We never used it. There's no sense in a hand
Of FIVE aces Naturally. 1 raised the limit again.
The other two dropped out, and the boy and /
went at il ding-dong. I didn't want his money.
] implored him 30 see and stop"