The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-12-23


"I shall do nothing of the kind; we
can pay for our own drinks"
"Wal, then" said the southernel.
'T'll shake you the dice to see who
pays for the drinks"
My new acquaintance agreed, and
as he shook the box and turned 1t
over with the dice under 1t he said
to the southerner: "I'll bet you ten
dollars that l can guess neare- to the
number of spots on top and bottom
than you can"
"All right" came the quick reply,
and bringing out big roll of bills he
murmured: Gosh! 'Spect Ill sQuan-
der all the money l got fer them cat
tie afore l get out of this blamed
town"
When the money was put up my
friend whispered to me: "You are in
with this"
The box was raised AMI my acquain-
lance, of course, had won.
The cattle dealer said: by Col;
you win this time, suah. Jes' wait till
git seegar and I'll try that ag'in."
He took plenty of time, during
which my friend showed me that the
fellow was ''greeny" and didn't I'M
derstand that man couldn't throw
over a certain number. Handing me
the ten-dollar bill, he said. Il know
if had lost you would have stood for
half of it, so half of this is yours"
The moment they had begun their
play recognized their game as one
of the very Oldest, known as Top
and Bottom" 1t was a game that had
been played all over the west 20 years
before by two men named Stoneburner
and Munson, and while | had never
met either of these grafters. had
| heard of them.
Knowing we'll that my friends par
ticular reason for dividing with me
was to see how much money l had.
took pains to show my roll, consist
ing of a bunch of money, and aftel
handing him five, l placed the ten
| with the rest, then carelessly showed
| it into my pocket. The cattleman,
having purchased and lighted his Ct.
gar. returned to the bar.
My friend said: do you want any
more of this, Stranger"
"Wal," he replied, I'D kim a like
to win back that ten dollars, anyhow
Then" said my friend. well agar
bet you that l can guess nearer thar
you can the number of spots on TOT
and bottom My friend and have
plenty of time and we'll bet you once
more"
OF course that remark, plenty O
time" was a tip to the cattleman, al
he quickly comprehended that tn
sucker" had plenty of money and t
offer to bet accordingly.
After toying with the dice momen
he placed them back into the boz
(making quick change, which wa
supposed to know nothing about and
turning the box over, he said:
How much do you want to bet nov
that you can guess them nearer thai
can?'
I'm bet you anywhere from 500 +
$780," replied the stranger, that Their
are not more than "a"
Turning to me, my friend whispered
81 showed you that it's impossible t
turn less than %. How much shal
we bet him? Let's bet him coupl
of hundred? I'll put up all have"
/ began laughing very heartily, a
though l had heard something yer
funny. This old game amuses me,
said, "and have been wonderin
If you fellows would make your las
Joint for the money the same q
( poor old Stoneburner used to join
!. when he and Munson worked top an
!: bottom together"
b Turning to my Mexican slippt
friend with a look Of disgust, tn
southern cattle dealer said: IVA
e you certainly have steered an seas
a mark up against me this time, haven
your" And then, addressing mt
/, Did you know Stoneburner and Mul
= SOM"
I'll YES" / replied, -"ands Kelley, an
}. Burley and Steward and Haynes, Il
: Three Card Monte gang. l have M
nearly all of them"
The ''steerer" then told me that
wore a SLOUGH hat, he had sized q
up for western stock raiser Of poss
bly, a western doctor, and as Ae hs
long since discovered that hlsine'
and professional men we're more east
grated than any other classes. be hi
tackled me.
well, men," said, Il guees l c.
afford to buy the cigars" Then
thanked them for the delightful ente
tainment they had provided me an
shaking my friends hand, l adde'
Il am sorry that we didn't have tin
to get those Mexican slippers, as
: should have liked pair of them"
: by the way, Johnston, you are n
: going to give me the worst of 1t
that five dollars, are your" he asked
Well" said l. Il am always out
the coin, and though never try
get it On anything but straight bu
ness proposition. when l once get
never give any of it back. 70
proposition to give me five dollars "
= perfectly Agreeable, for which
thank you most sincerely. Good-by.
With that l left the saloon and Il