Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1903-05-21
An Ocean
Porfim e
tOrisinal. |

Two men were sitting In the suok
ing room Of an ocean liner.
There should be detectives" said
one to the other. aboard these steam
ers to protect innocent people Thai
lean country Jake Is being 1eeced Al
cards by those sharpies."
"Why don't you warn him.
I'D only get myself into trouble
The other fellows would tell hun that
l was trying to gain his confidence t.
fleece him myself"
"I'll tell you what to do. You are
the best poker player In America, and
latter myself I'm not far behind you
Well get the fellow TO sit down 10 a
private game with us, win his money
and return IL TO him when We get ~
Souths mpton. II III serve 10 amuse US,
aud we will be doing the msu a great
favor"
That's a good idea"
The next day the two men, Mr.. Ora
ham and Mr.. Tidbail, met the green
horn on deck. They had concluded to
carry out a veritsble bunko game, so
they suddenly turned and stared at
him; then Graham rushed up 10 him,
grasped his hand and said.
why, skinner, didn't know you
were aboard
Tidbsll came up aud seized the other
hand. skinner. how are you. old
mani"
my name hain't Skinner said the
man, looking Mt them with eyes full OF
surprise, almost fear.
do you mean 70 tell me-" said era
ham. standing OF and looking at the
couptryman from head 10 foot. that
you're not Amos skinner OF Pawtuck
et?"
"why. no; I'm Jim Robinson of shell
byyille. Tenn"
We'll. now" said Tidball you'd
make u better likeness OF skinner than
his own photograph. The wines on US.
Come along"
IL wasn't long after the wine was
opened that the two kindly disposed
IutU utu hUOluHOu rtdlff NJ AHblts
with cards before them.
"Shall 1t be pokerT' asked Graham.
mot much said the victim. I'm
not a.goin' 10 win the money Of two
gentlemen that has treated me so fine
almost like a brother. Why. I'm con
sidered the best poker player in Shel.
byvllle"
The confederates looked NJ each 9th
er. They admitted that they were in
different poker players. but insisted on
the game, and the stranger at last con.
scented to play with low limit. But
he declared that as soon rs he had won
so the game must stop and he would
spend his winnings in wine.
They played in the stateroom Of the
who felt very sure that
they could win at fair game. and. IL
caught at any irregular proceedings IL
might get them into trouble. Besides.
Il would be more fun TO win fairly.
They found the cOuntryman easy prey
and soon won all his loose cash. Then
he went for his gripsack and produced
a large number OF crisp twenty dollar
bills. They played regularly every day
for three days, and when the ship was
nearing port the countryman confessed
that he was dead broke"
Then there was a scene. Robinson
bemoaned his fate, while the two bun.
koers enjoyed his discontinue. Then
when he seemed utterly crushed they
gave him a lecture on trusting stran
gers and told him Of their scheme 10
ruin him for his own good. There was
a glad light In his eye as he grasped
both their hands. tears streaming down
his cheeks, and declared that they were
the finest men on the ocean. the finest
men In America, the finest men In the
whole world.
Graham and Tidball emptied their
pockets of the money they had won
and were about 20 hand IL back TO the
loser when he stopped them.
"You gentlemen" he said, have
shown me what a galoot am and how
little I'm fitted 20 take keer or money.
But this Is only one way OF gittin' 1t
Out INV III u 90
git IL In some other way. Now. l want
you TO do me a favor. Keep all e1-
cept enough to take me to London.
You're goin' there; SO am I. When We
Kit there, l got friend, and I'm a-goin'
to put II In his bank. I'll never trust
myself ag'in with more n enough TO
pay expenses"
The friends reluctantly consented,
and with tears Of thankfulness the
farmer departed.
The next morning the ship was In
port. Mr.. Robinson did not appear.
and the two friends hunted for him
high and low; then, leaving their Lon
don address for him with the purser,
they started TO 20 ashore. Graham,
while on the gangplank. turning, saw
one OF the men from whom they had
saved Robinson pointing to himself and
his friend. The next moment two men
hands on their shoulders, then
them.
whats thisT' they both cried
aghast,
There was no reply. They were tax
en- to a police station, their hand bag
gage opened and found to contain sew
eral thousand dollars Of counterfeit