Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-10-03

ly some ruddy eschcwer of sobricty In
sisted that his lady take the same"
avowing that "hOotch," having been
demonstrated beneficial in his case,
was good for her also. Invariably the
lady accepted without dispute, aud in
variably the man failed to note her
glance at the bartender or the silent
substitution by that capable person OF
ginger ale for whisky or Of plain wa.
ter for gin. In turn the mixers collect
ell 81 from each man, Tipping to tho
girl metal percentage check, which
she added to her store. In the curtain
cd boxes overhead men bought bottles
with foil about the corks, and tten
subterfuge OIL the lsdy's part was idle.
but, on the other hand she was able 70
pocket for each bottle a check redeem
able at So.
A stranger straight from the east
would have remarked first upon the
good music, next upon the good looks
Of the women and then upon the shah
by clothes Of the men, for some Of
them were in "mukluk," others in
sweaters with huge initials and wing
ed emhlems. and all We're colaress
outside in the main gambling room
there were but few women. Men
crowded In dense masses about the
faro layout, the wheel, craps, the Klon.
dixie game, pangingi and the card Ia.
blcs. They talked Of business, OF
homo, Of women. bought and sold
mines and hartrred all things from
hams 10 honor Tho groomel and
clean, the unkempt and filthy iostle1
shoulder to shoulder. equally affected
by the license If the gold fields and the
eXhilaration Of the new. The mystery
of the north had touched them all. The
glad, bright vine of adventure filed
their veins. and they spoke nightly OF
things they had resolved to do or re-
counted with simple diGidencc the
strange stories Of their accomplish
ment
The Bronco KID, familiar from Attn
to Nome as the best bank" dealer on
the Yukon, worked the Shift from s till
.. He WAS slender man OF thirty,
deHterous in movement, slow t. smile,
soft of voice and known rs a living
flame among women. He had dealt
the biggest games Of the early days
aud had no enemies. Yet though
many called him friend, they wondered
inwardly.
It was strong play the Kid had
tonight, for Swede Sam Of Dawson
ventured many stacks Of yellow chips,
and be was a quick, aggressive gam
bier. \ Jew sat at the king end with
ten neatly creased $1,000 bills before
him, together with piles of smaller cur
rency. lie advcDture1 viciously aud
without system, while outsiders to tie
number Of four or five cut in sporadic
ally with small bots The game was
difficult to follow. consequently tha
lockout. from his raised dais. was lean
Ing forward, chin in hand. while the
group was hedcod about by eager on
lockers
Faro is n closed book to most people,
for It's intricacies are confusing. Lucky
is he who has never pcrsevered In solv-
ing Its mysteries nor specialized upon
the systems of beating it. From
those who have learned it. the game de-
mands practice, dexterity and cool
ness. The dealer must run the cards.
watch the many shifting bets handle
the neatly piled checks. figure Iigilt-
ninglke the profits and losses. 1t was
lis unerrnS, clock.llo regularity in this
that had Won the N!l his reputation.
This night bis powers were taxed He
dealt silently, scow!!ngly, his long white
fingers uerYously carcss.ag the cards.
his p.cot"upation prevented his no
tlcing the rustic and stir OF new.
conner who had crowded up behind him
until 10 caught the wondering glances