Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-05-16
fHE MAN IN THE
WHITE CRAVAT


in no particular more marked than in
the Mississippi river When that river
was the highway between the north
west and the gulf, the steamers plying
upon it, handsome boats for their time,
carried all sorts of people. among them
the most refined in the land. A SIN
gular proximity to mothers and chill
dren were the gambling tables in the
mems cabin, separated from the ladies
cabin only by curtain.
When a youngster Of eighteen, was
sent from Cincinnati to New Orleans
to collect 4 debt for my employers.
Having succeeded, started back with
the money, $4,000 in bills, in my mon
ey belt, then common method of
transporting funds. 1 was sitting one
morning on the guards, viewing the
plantations we were passing, when a
gentleman wearing q white necktie sat
down beside me and entered into con-
vcrsatiOn He soon led the subject to
the gambling going on on the boat and
Informed me that there were several
professional gamblers aboard and
must be careful not TO be drawn In by
them to play or would surely be rob-
bed
Notwithstanding this advice, one Of
the gamblers WOrmed himself into my
confidence. got me to play euchre with
out stakes. permitted me to win, then
made the game for money and won
$1,000 from me before l realized that
was in the hands of sharper. Then
threw down my cards. Upon raising
my face from the table my eyes light
ed upon the gentleman in the white
cravat standing among a dozen others
who had been watching the play.
MY boy" he said, "let me have q
twenty dollar bill. l have money Of
my own, but 1 want to play with your
money and for you only. Perhaps l
may get back some of your losses"
There was a surprised look on the
faces of those who stood around the
table, for the man was apparently
clergyman. l gave him the twenty dol
lar bill with a muttered prayer that
something might come of it.
"Now, Emory Thorne," he said, 81
propose to teach you the game Of eu-
chre."
How did you know my name was
Emory Thorne?' said the sharper, look
ing at him scrutinizingly.
"Never mind that now. AS we pro
coed may drop hint occasionally
that will put you on the track of my
identity"
For hours |. in company with a con
stantly growing crowd watched the
play Surprising as was the sight Of a |
clergyman playing with a gambler for |
high stakes. ii was more so that the |
game was an effort between the two |
rs to which could Go the more clever |
cheating. | was rot sufficiently quick |
sighted to detect their eXpedients, but |
knew by frequent expressions of Won
der on the part Of the OnloOkcrs that
there were exhibitions Of genius. The
pile in trent of my champion grew
slowly, but surely. now and again
slightly diminishing, but every loss
made up with Il gain. The gambler
was the better euchre player, his oppo-
nent the better at cheating Once when
the latter had made loss he asked:
when did you see Tom Clarkson
last, Emery"
The gambler looked up at him with
something Ike terror on his face. but
made 10 reply. The cards were dealt
again. and NY friend, taking advantage
of having Disconnected his opponent,
made Il stroke of slcight Of hand which
gave him al trCmps, with both bowers
and the ace. turning a game by which
lie gained 500. From this tins | no
ticCd that whenever he lost he invaria-
bly, threw the gambler off his balance
by some reference understood only by
the two players. At last the clergy
man, looking his opponent in the eye,
said:
Il have message for you from Alice,
Emery. I'll give it to you when we
have finished the game"
1t was wonderful how the rascal
covered up outward signs of his emo
ton. 1t was only by the eye that we
knew how he suffered BY this time
a heap of bills. my employers bills,
were stacked up in front of the clergy.
man, and he was winning with every
game Indeed the gambler seemed to
have lost interest in keeping the mon
cy Then my man hastily ran over his
winnings and called a halt.
How much did you lose. my bOyY'
he asked ne.
II took from my belt ten bills of
$500 each, $1,000 in all. They are all
gone. besides about $25 had in my
pocket"
Very we'll: here's your money"
Counting out S5.025. he handed it to
mo ana showed the rest across the ia
hlc to his opponent. Then, rising and
turning to the crowd, he said:
"Gcntlemea. this has doubtless been
to you Il surprising sight | knew this
man. pointing to the gambler, "and
overheard BIN say that the boy had
money with him which he proposed to
take.
AT an early age developed a taste
for sleigh; of hand and used to give
private exhibitions to my friends. The
tricks practiced by gamblers especial
ly interested me. and | took lessons
Under an expert professional gambler.
have no taste for games and never
won CT lest Il cent in my life"
Then to the gambler: Emery Thorne,
heard your companion call you by
\ |
you proposed to fleece this boy. AS