Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1903-05-14

to be-" grumbled the dyspeptic-looking
individual, as he made a vicious stab
with toothpick at the stuffed olive
in his cocktail. Il had beautiful tip
this afternoon and couldn't find
poolroom open in all the downtown
district. When l finally made up my
mind to leave my bet with hand
book man I was too late. The race
had been in on the ticker ten minutes.
What in the mischief is New York
coming to, anyway"
"And did your horse VIM" asked
the tall man.
Mono" admitted the other; cant
say it did. But it's the principle of the
thing, you know. l."
BLOW the principle of the thing"
said the tall man. Many a day I'd
have thanked my stars if 1 couldn't
have got into a poolroom. But of
course there were other days. Want
to hear little story?
Just about three years ago." he
continued, BILLY Brand had his pool
room in Church street. Brand was
gambler of class, suave, polished and
SdACs IIC ulu lduu Ol1Cc UuSluGSS.
So brisk, in fact, that he inaugurated
a system of morning betting, both for
the benefit of those of his customers
who might desire to place their bets
during the noon hour, and also in
order to tighten the crush in the room
while the races were being run.
Il got into the habit of dropping
into Brands about IL o'clock to see if
! couldn't catch him out of line One
day as 1 was waiting for the cards to
be hung up a stranger sauntered up
to me and whispered:
You're on hand early. l suppose
you got that message of mine? This is
the day for the killing
81 was about to tell him that he had
evidently mistaken me for some one
else, but he gave me no time to say a
word.
81 recognized you the moment you
lame into the ROOM he went on, still
in whisper; you can plunge for the
limit. He's ripe
Who's ripe?' 1 could not help ask
ing.
Why, Bill Jackman, of course he
said, reproachfully. I'll see you in the
afternoon
with that he departed, leaving me
wondering who in the mischief he was
and for whom he had taken me. Bill
Jackman was among the entries in the
second race at New Orleans. 1 glanced
over the form chart hurriedly, but the
figures did not give him a chance.
Just then Brand put up the card. Bill
Jackman was quoted at to 1; any
thing but a decent price, in my opin-
ion. At that moment friend nudged
me violently.
"'Oh. look at the snapi' he said.
Get aboard right away. The owner
wired me to put good bet down for
him at morning odds, and with to 1
chalked you will notice your uncle
dallying with a few yellow boys for
himself
What's the horse? asked.
'Bequeath, of course
"Bequeath was in the same race as
Bill Jackman. At once told Douglas,
as my friend was named, what had
been informed regarding Jackman. He
smiled pityingly.
"A stout man, who had Just entered,
asked Brand if he'd take 500 each
way Bequeath.
You're on responded Brand.
'"This stirred up Douglas and he
rushed to the wicket
'Bequeath, five hundred across the
board, Billy he exclaimed.
Correct said Brand, but added,
turning to his cashier. rub Bequeath
to 6, and even. What's up? An
other wildcat tip from that Texas
bunch?"
Douglas did not hear him, but
urged me to get in on the killing I
was undecided. 1t so happened that
was in special need of money just at
that time, and could not afford to
lose much. Finally 1 declined to bet,
on the ground that as l had had two
tips I would be certain to choose the