New-York tribune., 1902-12-14
4 VICTIM OF GOOD LUCK
By BARRY PAIN.

I did," said the Criminal, with something
rather near to air of self-satisfaction Il
struck him hard"
1oa are poor and in rags. Yet your pro-
nunclatlon of the aspirate, your manner of tax
ing tea, and several other points about you
"ouIo seem to indicate that you were once in a
better position
Il was"
And what brought you to poverty? What
maddtned you to crime? The answer is but too
obvious Drink my dear friend, my poor
brother"'
One moment" said the Criminal, rather en-
phasiZing slight drawl; you have behaved in
friendly way me in offering hospitality, and
have shown equal friendliness in accepting it.
But when it comes to brother it me
that you are introducing family complication
which is-er-u unnecessary. Now let me put one
question to YOU You assign, correctly enough,
my downfall to drink To what do you assign
the drink? Why did take it?'
Our natures are frail and sinful Even for
the best of it is a constant struggle with
the power Of evil We but
Yes, yes" said the Criminal 'all very true,
no doubt And, while granting it, L may tell
you that 1 assign my downfall to my natural
generosity and TO quite exceptional stroke of
good luck
Il don't Think said the Philanthropist
plaintiff ely, that you should treat in this
way, and make fun of a well meant effort to
help you on the
My dear SIR said the Criminal, accuse me
Of anything else you like but not of error
Of taste 1 speak in all seriousness and L 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 young
man at Cambridge-he had played it good
deal But he a little ashamed Of admit
ting it
1T is part of my duty he said, ito be ac-
auainted with the so-caled rules of these de-
plorable gambling games. My knowledge is /
superficial, Of course, and very much a matter
OF hearsay-''
That's all right" said the Criminal. L
wasn't asking you play. In the days of my |
prosperity 1 in the habit of playing poker
every evening at the club L need not say that !
by the rules Of the club poker was most strictly |
forbidden; in fact, we always called 1t CalIfor- |
nian whist in consequence. The play was never
outrageous, but it fairly nigh sometimes
However we could all afford lose, Except one |
"a mere boy. He was a nice boy in many ways, |
but a fool So far as the game went he was
not in class He always insisted on playing, /
and he invariably lost"
Naturally, if you're playing too high for
your means you get nervous and that means
that get frightened out Wnen you ought 10
stay with it, and you altogether ~verdo the
bluff yourself At least" the PhlIanthroplSt
added, so / informed"
Correct Well, were playing one night
and a Dot of about f6o opened for a SOW
ereign and the opening was raised tWlce-the
last time it was by the boy. and 1 could see
easily enough by his voice and manner that ne
was very good. / had nothing that L could
keen However, 1 had won more of the boys
money than / wanted, and thought L would
help to make the pot up for him So said L
didn't mind buying five cards for three SOW
ereigns, and put my money in
You dealing, Of course, being the last
70 speak?'
quite SO. The opener my left took two
cards. The next had stopped out The
drst raiser also took two, the boy stood pat
and 1 helped myself to five The opener bet
was seen by the next man, and raised the limit
by the 0oy. 1 picked up my cards as matter
Of form; 1 had expectation Of getting any
thing, and / had only come in to lose AND
there in my hand was a straight hush-the nrst
and only time ever held one"
Joker in?" asked the Philanthropist
we nexer used it. There's sense in a hand
Of five aces. Naturally. raised the limit again
The other two dropped out. and the boy and /
went at it ding-dong- 1 didn't want his money
irnplored him to see me and STOP