The Topeka state journal., 1902-12-02
A VICTIM OF LUCK.

We'll, now said the Philanthropist,
wnen .,ft the Criminal had finished his tea,
let US see what can be done in your
case. You struck a policeman engaged
IN the execution of his duty"
i did,, said the Criminal, with some
thing rather near to an air of self-satis-
faction Il struck him hard
You are poor and in.srags. Yet your
pronunciation of the aspirate, your
manner of taking tea, and several other
points about you would seem to indi-
position"
Il was.''
And what brought you to poverty?
What maddened you to crime? The an
dear frieEdi o my poor brotheri'
One moment" said the Criminal
rather emphasizing a slight drawl; you
have behaved in a friendly way to me
in offering hospitality, and have shown
equal friendliness in accepting it. But
when 1T come to brother it seems to
me that you are introducing a family
complication which is-er-unnecessary.
You assign, correctly enough, my down
fai to drink. To what do you assign
the drink? Why did take to it?"
Our natures are frail and sinful
Even for the best of US it is a constant
struggle with the power of evil We
can butt
Yes, yes" said. the Criminal, .aIl very
true, no doubt. And. while granting it,
l may tell you that I assign my down
fall to my natural generosity and to a
quite exceptional stroke of good luck"
Il don't think" said the Philanthro-
pist plaintively that you should treat
me in this way, and make fun Of a well
meant effort to help you on the
My dear sir" said the Criminal, ''ac-
cuse me of anything else you like, but
not of an error of taste. I speak in all
seriousness, and 1 will prove 1t by tell
ing you my story. But let me first in
quire if you are acquainted with the
American game of draw poker, for the
story turns upon that"
The Philanthropist was quite well ac-
quainted with it. In his unregenerate
days-as young man at Cambridge
he had played it good deal. But he
was little ashamed of admitting 1t.
1t is part of my duty" he said, Ito
be acquainted with the So-called rules
of these deplorable gambling games.
My knowledge is superficial of course,
and very much matter of hearsay."
That's all right" said the Criminal.
I wasn't asking you to play. In the
days of my prosperity I was in the
habit of playing poker every evening at
the club. l need not say that by the
rules of the club poker was mcst strict
ly forbidden; in fact, we always called
it California whist in consequence.
The play was never outrageous. but it
was fairly high sometimes. However,
we could all afford to lose. except one
mere boy. He was a nice boy in many
ways, but a fool. So far as the game
went he was not in our class. He al
ways insisted on playing, and he in
variably lost"
Naturally, If you're playing too high
for your means you get nervous, and
that means that you get frightened out
when you ought to stay with it, and you
altogether overdo the bluff yourself. At
least the Philanthropist added, 80 L
am informed
Correct. Wei, we were playing one
night, and pot of about eco was opened
for a sovereign, and the opening was
raised twice-tha last time 1t was by
the boy, and couid see easily enough by
his voice and manner that he was very
good. I had nothing that I could keep.
However. 1 had won more of the boys
money than wanted, and thought l
would help to make the pot up for him.
So I said didn't mind buying five cards
for three sovereigns, ami put my money
in"
You were dealing, of course. bcing the
last to speak2"
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 I helped myself to five
The opener bet, was seen by the next
man. and raised the limit by the boy l
picked up my cards as matter of form;
had no expectation of getting any
thing, and I had only come in to lose.
And there in my hand was a straight
f1ush-the first and only time I ever held
one
Joker imp. asked the Philanthropist.
eve never used it. There's no sense in
a hand of five aces. Naturally. / raised
the limit again. The other two dropped
out and the boy and 1 went at it ding
dong. I didn't want his money. 1 inn
plorcd him to see me and stop"
why didn't you see him, If you want
ed it stopped?"
Il held straight flush. and I am a
poker player"
THE temptation was great. I admit
necessity to play. that hand for every
thing there was. The boy saw me at
last. when he stood to lose a couple of
hundred. He had four kings and 1t was
hard work for him to smile pretttly when
he saw my straight flush. However will
cut my story short. The coy paid me, and
he stole money in order to do it. The
theft was found ont, and he tried to
shoot himself That was all hushad up.
but he left the club, and it was hinted
that had better resign ALSO. The talk
went round about me; I had as dealer
given the boy four kings, and l had given
myself a straight flush, ana the age of
miracles is past. Now. have done al
most everything else, but I have never
cheated at cards. And il had cheated
should have gwen myself that straight
one accused me- or eouid have acc'-stsd
me, but I was not exactly welcoHcd d.
The thing got on ny nerves. and then
not until then-I took t. drink. Tne
drunkard is never good gambler. l lost
my money. got into had company. And
the rest you have s.en for yourself
An extraordinary story" said the Phil
anthropist Il must think it over. Come
and see me tomorrow at this time, and