The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-06-13
a WAGER
toriginai.l


1t Is singular how people on board
ship are given to betting. ! have
known n man who when ashore would
consider himself disgraced at riskins
money on national electionlay wa
ger at sea on the color of the eyes of
the pilot who would take the vessel
into port.
We were in the middle of the ATTAIN
tic ocean, and those of US who fire.
uuerted the smoking cabin Ind become
wen acquainted. There WIS "a more
inyeterate set of gamblers aboard than
usual. We not only bet on the daily
run of the ship. the wenther and all
that. but would coniure up all sorts OF
disputes on which to stake our money.
There was one man who always
smoked with us who could not be In
duced to gamble, a clean shaved,
smooth looking young fellow In specta-
cles. Somebody said that he WAS
Princeton divinity student, but that
was not substantiated. Seeing that he
was not OF the betting kind. we all let
him alone, except fellow named
Ashurst, a coarse, Ill favored man
whom none Of us liked and whose ADJ
sence we would have preferred
Mr.. Tillotson," he would say to the
man who declined to bet, "Tll bet you
$40 to cent that we don't see another
vessel this side of Sandy Hook or III
bet you twenty to five that there isn't
a cloud in the sky tomorrow ut eight
bells noon
IT never bet" said Mr.. Tillotson.
.I only want to make 1t Interesting
for the party
wei, then, for once. for the sake
of the party. I'll go you. III bet you
$500 even. that before we sight Fire
island I'll pullthe captains nose.
Every man present took his cigar out
of his mouth and looked ut the speak
er. The captain was the most digni-
fed and forbiddirg man commanding
any of the great liners, tyrant to MS
men and irascible with his passengers.
IT can do that myself" said Ashurst'
eff 1 am willing to abide the conse-
quences."
"I will stipulate." rejoined Tillotson.
+that IL the captain makes tho slightest
objection l lose the bet"
..There's your chance. Ashurst"
flake him."
"He's giving you his money"
These were few Of the remarks
fired Mt Ashurst by those present. AS
hurst pufred nervously, blowing a
cloud Of smoke, showing by his express
sion both desire to possess himself
OF T1llotson's money and caution lest
he should be outwitted. The latter
prevailed.
"oh, there's some guy in that It's
not legitimate subject for bet"
See him crawtish." remarked one
Of the smokers. II knew he'd back out
II any one faced him."
why. Ashurst.v said another, hes
sure to be pitched overload, and
you'll take in the $500"
Thus badgered on the one hand and
encouraged on the other. Ashurst be
gan to give way
"yyin you all see that there's no
catch in the matter" he asked the
party: that no really pulls the cap
tain's nose:''
I'VE will!r shouted every man.
where and when will yon do it,"
asked Ashurst.
when and where like"
who's to witness lt?'
ANY or every man here. Including
yourself. I'll notify you in time to be
present
And if the captain knocks you
DOWN."
IF he objects In any way whatever.
the money is yours"
Ashurst was an nyaricious man, and
the chance of winning the money WIS
drawing him far more than the chm fling
OF the party was driving him. He sat,
putting vigorously. trying to think OF
some way by which TilIotson could
win. but as no way appeared to him
he dnally. determined to take therislr- :