The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-13
NUSTY jim PROVED
- A GAMBLERS RULE.
Prevented From Committing Sc..
eide He Promptly Became His
Res:u rs Hoodoo.

| Ows OF spacious doorway Of a large, buf
not specially conspicuous. house that st GOD
within a short distance of the Lake from,
in Chicago Pausing on the broad land
, ing al the head OF the steps of the house
he looked around
1t was very late. and there was almost
absolute quiet Even inside the house
where he knew there were numbers OF
people awake-very much awake and
actively engaged in different pursuits
there was no noise that was audible where
he stood.
The big moon, past the full, made broad
streak of cleaning silver on the rpplel
surface of the Lake. The air was balmy
and pleasantly warm 1t hardly eeneol
like Chicago-it was so peaceful
There WAS no satisfaction apparent in
Mr. James Kent's bearing as he perceived
all this On the contrary he seemed SO
absorbed in his own thoughts that whs I
ne observed made little impression on him;
yet he stood for long time looking around.
Finally he sighed deeply and very de-
liberately pulled heavy revolver from
his pocket, Examining it carefully TO
see II it was properly loaded. he cooked it
and placed the muzzle against his fore
head
On the instant large hand was extended
from behind him across his shoulder, and
his own wrist was seized in powerful
grip. Before he could pull the trigger, SO
quick was the interference. his own hand
destroyed Nor could he though he tried
desperately for moment. free himself
from the firm grasp that held him.
What do you want to interfere for?"
he exclaimed, bitterly. but in curiously
subdued tones.
We'll for one thing. don't like to have
people killing themselves on my door
steps," said the man who had interfered,
and who still maintained his hold on the
others wrist you know as we'll as do
it would break up my business.
All right" said James Kent, promptly;
"let 60 of my hand and III go down to
the shore"
THAT would be a heap sight better, "
said the other, but even thatd be had
enough. There's twenty men inside that
know you've been playing and losing. l
tell you. Kent, don't like it
well, what are you going to do about it?
Il don't rightly know, said the big man 4,
doubtfully. II don't like the notion Of
you, using this gun at all
And as he said this he reached over and
took the weapon with his disengaged hand,
and put it in his own pocket
But" he continued, they say it s the
worst kind Of hoodoo to stop man from
cashing in when he's ready TO do it..
S'posin you come back in the house and
talk this over" and he turned toward
the door. still holding Kent by the wrist.
Thereupon Kent cursed him volubly
for many kinds of fool. demanding to be
informed why he should be expected to
discuss with any one matter that was
his own intimate personal concern. And.
more especially. he asked why he should
do il under duress. And he was very pro-
fame. but il was noticeable that he con-
tinued to speak. as both men had, from
the first, in that subdued voice that is in
vogue in most temples of chance.
To all this remonst rance The other man.
known to the police of Chicago as George
McMurray, paid not the slightest atten-
ton, but walked steadily back to the inner
door, which was locked. lnasmuch as
he was the bigger and much the stronger
of the two, and still retained his hold of
Kent's wrist. the latter had no choice but
to accompany him.
The darky who opened the door was
too we'll trained to show any surprise. and
they met no one else as McMurray led the
way to a small room which he reserved
rNr 30 Sol,
the door of this. he released Kent ana mo-
toned him 10 chair.
The two sa, down and looked at each
other intently for few minutes. Presently
McMurray spoke.
"The old story, suppose he said Kent
nodded
'The last YOU could raise went across
the board tonight, Of course. How much
was it,"
About four hundred"
Suppose | give you that back"
1T wouldn't do any good unless you
let me play it in and l could win eight
thousand
Hum! couldn't hardly do that. I
might give you back your stake. bu, not
to play with here. and with your luck lately
you have as much show Of winning out as
YOU had Of stepping into heaven ten min
utes ago. Is your business gomez"
"ies, unless put eight thousand in the
bank tomorrow mor-ths morning.
"How about your family"
Look here, McMurray you're going
too far. What the"
I'm onlytrying to see if there's any way
out for You
well, there isn't have no family
They know the whole business and theyv
left me. I'm ruined absolutely and hope
lessly."
well, I don't know. Ruin is a very
large word. Now. look here, Kent I'm
not going to give YOU back all the money
you've Lest in my place
There's no reason why | should. You
came here to get my money, and YOU vera
perfectly welcome TO il if you'd won, but
YOU didn't More than that. if | should
give il back il wouldn't pu, YOU back where
you wers before you began to play
But ] like you well enough 10 give you
show. My notion is y better TO be live
gambler than dead commission merchant
I'll grubstake YOU and il You hang around
the place here. can put you in The way
of making expenses. ! can Use one or iwo
men like you What do You say?"
"Oh' reckon I'd better say yes, replied
Kent, l!stlessly. You don't suppose |
was blowing out my brains because wanted
To. ! didn't sc" anything ahead but
hobo's life, and didn't care for that But
this'll be better than that | reckon. II il
isn't | can always do the other"
but don't do it on my front steps Now
Or, ia n M f,i h,,