The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-13
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by M. SILINGSBY,

excitedly:
DO let us 60 in, Albert, before every
body gets in and the place is filed up.
You've got five dollars and half, and
FIVE will buy my new dress and trim
mings"
The argument was not TO be resisted,
and the more prudent but less decided
Albert came down with the dust-a
bright, new fifty-cent piece, which he
looked at twice with affectionate re-
luctance before handing ii up to the
willy sharper, who still occupied his
position upon the barrel.
did not follow them in, for knew
they would both come out disgusted
with the swindle soon enough; but,
nevertheless, determined to wait near
the entrance and watch the result.
AS the dissatisfied spectators began
to steal out, mostly with Indifference
or disgust, and sometimes angry disap-
pointment depicted in their faces, to
the cracked tones Of a barrel organ, the
long-baired ofator descended from his
temporary rostrum and dexterously
drew three cards from his pocket.
Gentlemen and ladies'" he ex-
claimed, patronizingly, holding up the
three cards TO yiew-a queen, knave
and acct am about showing you a
nice little game, where, If you are so
inclined, any one Of you, or every one
Of you, might make your fortunes in
an hour, providing your eyes are sharp
enough. Here 1t is"
And he opened his little game Of
three-card monte by first exhibiting
card. and then laying 1t carefully, face
down, on the barrel head, with a corner
slightly bent, so that only a very keen
observer would notice It. 1t was the
queen Of diamonds.
He next showed up tlIc knave Of
clubs. and, laying that down by the
queen, followed the same formula with
the ace OF spades.
He then adroitly commenced the pro-
cess Of changing the positions Of the
cards IN most rapid and tantalizing
manner for brief space, when he abb
ruptly inquired II anyone could guess
which was the queeng
The sharp eyes OF the young farmers
wife were upon him, and she had close
~ kept track Of the queen from the
turned-up corner she had at first no
ticed
Il CAM she cried, confidently, put
ting herself forward among the crowd
Of masculine lockers on, much to the
annoyance Of the less demonstratlve
Albert.
"Well,' returned the sharper with
great urbanity, here is an opportunity
to win money if you are sure. There
is five dollars" he added. laying a
note representing the sum specified on
the barrel head. that not one Of the
company present can point out the
queen among those cards"
The young woman stood fidgeting,
but could tell by the expression in
her countenance that she still enter
tained unshaken confidence in her de-
teetlve powers.
No one, however, offered to accept
the wager.
"Well,n said the sharper, after an
eloquent pause, Il think you must all
be in independent circumstances in
this place, as none of you care to make
money!
His restless eye roved from face to
face, as though he were taking brief
inventory Of their thoughts, and finally
rested on the eager. excited features
Of the young farmers wife.
do you think you can pick out the
queen, young womanw
Yes l do" she answered, promptly,
and with nervous confidence.
"Well then, if you are quite sure
why do you not accept the wager?"
she turned and whispered few
eager words to Albert. but the stolid
fellow shook his head obviously, as
though vaguely impressed with a faint
conception Of something wrong.
"Albert thinks I'd better not she
replied, with a disappointed look; shut
can tell you which card It is"
"Be kind enough, then, TO oblige us
by telling said the sharper. blandly.
The young woman touched a card
at the suggestion, and the gambler
turned it up.
1t was the queen Of diamonds, sure
enough.
There he said with cool indiffer-
ence, you perceive how easily you
could have Won"
The young wife threw a swift glance
at Albert, half indignation, half tri-
umph as much as to say: There, you
stupid! Didn't tell you soy
The adroit angler saw that his hook
was balted, and he commenced manipu-
lating the cards, seeming not to have
noticed the corner that was so slightly
bent