The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-01

front IN chicago IAIalnE on Llc uAD-AA
landing at the head Of the steps Of the
house. he looked around.
IL was very late. and there was al
most absolute quiet. Even inside the
house, where he knew there were num-
Ders OF people aWake-very much awake
and actively engaged in different pur-
suits. there was no noise that was audi
bic where he stood.
broad streak Of cleaning silver on the
Tippleu surface of the lake. The air was
balmy and pleasantly warm. lt hardly
seemed like ChicagO-it was go peaceful
There was no satisfaction apparent i'm
Mr. James keuts bearing az ne perceived
an this on The contrary. he seemed so
absorbed in his own thoughts that what
ne observed made little impression on
him; yet he stood for long time look
Finally he sighed deeply and very de-
nberately pulled a heavy revolver from
his pocket Exa mining fl carefully to see
IN ID was properly loaded, he cooked 1t
and placed Che muzzle against his fore
head.
on the instant a large hand was ex-
tended from behind him across his shout
der, and his own wrist was seized tn a
powerful grip. Before he could pun the
trigger 50 quick was the interference,
his aim was destroyed Nor could he,
though he tried desperately for "a mo-
ment free himself from the firm 81 asp
What do YOU want 60 interfere for2''
he exclaimed bitterly, but in c'riously
EuDoucQ tones.
Feared the Hoodoo.
well. for one thing. Z don't like TO
have peopla killing themselves on my
doorstepsr said the man who had inter
tered, and who still maintained his hold
on the others wrist. You know as well
as I do IL would break up my business.
IAN right" said James Kent, prompt
y. let go of my baud and III 40 down
20 the shore"
THAT would be a heap sight better -
said ether rHgf'd be- bad
enough. There's twenty men inside that
know you We been playing and losing l
tell you, Kent I don't like it,"
wen. what are you going 20 do ABOUT
Il don't rightly know" said the big
man, doubtfully. "l don't like the notlon
Of your using this gun at all"
And as he said this he reached over
and took the weapon with his disengaged
hand, and put 10 in his own pocket.
But" he continued. they say it is
the worst kind Of n hOOdoO 20 stop man
from cashing In when he's ready 70 DO ~,
'poSin YOU come back in the house ana
talk this ever and he turned towar the
door stin holding Kent by the wris
Thcreupou Kent cursed him voluDly for
many kinds Of fool, demanding 10 he in
formed why he should be expected 20
discuss with anyone n matter that was
his own intimate personal concern And,
more especially, he asked why he should
DO 10 under duress. And he was very pro-
fame. but 70 was noticeable that he con-
iinued 10 speak. as both men had from
in vogue I'm most e. npies Of chance.
The Problem Discussed.
To all this remonstrance the other man.
known to the police of Chicago as George
MCMurray, paid not the slightest atten-
tion. but walked steadily back to the
inner door. which was locked. lnasmuch
as he was the bigger and much Ihe
stronger OF the two. and still retained
bis hold of kent's wrist. the latter hao
no choice but 20 accompany him.
The q ,rty who opened the door was
too wei trained to show any surprise
and they met no one else. as McMurray
led the way to g. small room which he
reserved for his most private affairs
Closing the door or this. he released Kent
and motioncd him to "a chair.
The two sat down and looked at each
other iutently foT q few minutes Pres
entity McMurrav spoke
The old story. suppose he said
..'rhe last YOU could raise went across
the board tonight of course. How muct
."About 900"
Suppose I give YOU that back.
1T wouldn't do any good unless YOU LEI
me play IL in and 7 could win 5000
Hum t couldn't hardly do tbaf.
might give YOU back your stake, but mol
TO play with here. and with your lucf
lately YOU have as much show of win
ming ont MS ~ou had 0f stepping into
heaven ten minutes ago. is your bust
yes. unless 7 nut 5000 In the bank so.
morrow mor-this morning.
"FIow a5out your family
Look here. McMuTray. you're coins
too far What the
Tn oulv trying 60 see If there's aw
way out for You.
We'll. there isn't. I have no family
They know the whole business an'
they've left me. ] m ruined absolutely
and hopelcssiy.
We'll 7 don't know. Ruin is a verl
large word. Now look here. Kent. In
not going 10 give you back all the none,
you've lost i'm my place
7nnI.r nth Sin
came here % get my money and yol
were perfectly welcome TO ~ ii YOU
should give it back it wouldn't put yol
back where YOU were before you begal
Better 4 Live Gambler.
"But like -ou well enough TO give yo1
q show. My notion is it's better 10 be
live gambler than dead commission
merchant. 4 70 ETUbstake yOu. and if NOl
hang. around the place here ] can pa
can use one or two men like you, Nha
do YOU gaE9''
oh, reckon I'd better say yes" re
piled Kent. Iistlessly. You don't sap
pose I was blowing out my brains be
ahead bat a hobos life. and I didn't ear
Tor that. But this'u bc better shan that
reckon II IL isn't. I can always do IN
IAN right" said MclIurray. briskIy
but don't do "a on my front steps Nov
60 20 a hotel and sleep twenty-four hours
YOU something. Then come back her
and III talk 90 you. And take this t.
20 on
This" was piece OF green paper
which Kent put I'm his pocket, mutterin
an uugracious acknowledgement as he lef
the room and the house.
After no had gone. McMurray sat 10
some inmates i'm silence. At length n
rose. saying to- himself in dubious was
eft was good I stopped him from dom
81 there. but I wish somebody else ha
done f. They do say it's q surc-enous
hoodoo.'
Mr. James Kent appeared the mex
night. as he had been directed 20 do. a
McMurravs place. and Tor some succeed
ing DAYS was put carefully through
course Of instruction. which resulted d
making him much wiser man.
lie had been poker player all his Hft
and had supposed that he was "a fairl
good one. In fact. IL MAS his nerve an
Judgment I'm the backing Ot his hand
that mad mostly commended him TO Nc
Murray's liking. though 90 had ncve
happened that be had been a consider
able winner at the game in McMurruy'
house
Why BE lost.
Row. however he bad things czpiaine
go him that had been. up 90 this tim,
wholly unknown 20 him. A code OF sig
mails. so simple as To be- amazing wa
among the things which helped to MAX
slant loser. Aud he was shown how. %
adapting his play To that of one other 8
the game. me could make 70 PRACTICAL
impossible for any given third party {
capture any given pot.
cor course. 7 knew All about this I'm
general way said DE 40 McMurrav on
day. after be had been told an there wa
To- TOLL inaEf All that ATrnTffr.-l