The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-03-12


years old. He was no chicken, Ii,
had the money, and money talked
From her nearby seat the woman lis
tened to his vaporlngs and saw tn
gamblers tleeclng him at every hand
and she said 20 herself:
| II used to get about a hundred dol
lars a day out OF Tommy when he wa,
struck on me, but these sharpers ar,
doing heap better II he was horr
without brains it's not my fault, and
yet ! feel sorry for that little wife OF
his. This is all new on her, She is n
her stateroom crying her eyes out when
wife Of spunk would be IN here rails
Ing old Ned, Its none OF my business
and yet can't help but feel sorry for
her It's no use to so and speak TO her
for she's one of the weeping, helpless
sort. What is wanted is something to
give Tommy a jar"
A few minutes later the porter Of the
sleeping cs came into the smoker and
whispered to Tommy that his wife
wanted to see him At that the gam.
blers sneered and Tommy swore. He
sent back word that he would come
when he got ready and continued his
play, The ex-chorus girl went back
in his place. and when the stateroom
door opened at her knock she said to
the anxious and weeping bride:
Your husband Is drinking and gam
bling in the car ahead. Are you woman
enough TO walk In there and fetch him
outf"
Mercy, no. gasped the wife.
Then don't make a fool OF yourself
by sending messages. know your
Tommy of old. He's soft in the head.
and | don't believe he'll ever get over
Ii, You are only baby wife, and your
mother ought TO have kept hold OF one
end OF the string. Don't sob and wiring
your hands that way. I'm going back
10 watch the game and save your Tom
my. He'll probably come along in the
course OF an hour and dump himself,
down on the floor. | may come later"
But l don't understand" protested
the bride as she struggled with her
sobs.
There's no need for you to. Just re-
main right here and leave the rest to
me-"
"And who are youi"
Nobody or nothing"
When the woman returned to the
Tommy had lost all his own
money and had broken into what he
was carrying to his father He was |
as dough in the hands Of the sharpers. !
In five hands he lost $1,000. Then the
woman stepped TO his side and took
him by the arm and said:
Tommy, you are wanted In the
sleeping car. Come along"
What are you doing hereg demand
d one of the gamblers Of the woman
IS Tommy obedIently rose up and
urched about.
'They call me Wild Rose in Chey-
nne," she replied, ''and 1t is said that
play poker as good as any man.
This man Is going back to his wife,
md I'm going to take his hand In the
,ame."
The men cursed and growled, but
rhen Tommy had been landed In his
tateroom the woman returned and
at down with such nonchalance and
reduced such large rolf that the
harpers winked at each other and
hen turned in to beat her. They
aimed the cards; they bluffed; they
onspired; they resorted to all the
ticks Of the trade, but they reaped
othing by it. The woman was posted
all their moves and had some new
les to show them. They became
fraid Of her after awhile, and then
ne used taunts to keep the game go
lg. They lost steadily from the start,
nd if there was cheating ON her part
ley were not sharp enough TO detect
When she had won back every dol
r lost by Tommy the soft" she
,se up and carried her winnings back
} the wife. The husband was asleep |
4 the floor. The ex-chorus girl looked
him and nodded her head and said:
Seems like old times to see him
lat way. Here's the money he lost to
le gamblers. Take care OF II and 90
trough his pockets for the rest Of his
'odle, We are getting near Cheyenne.
leave the train there"
But your name? You will tell me
at and let me thank you over and
'er again for what you have doneT
Don't mention 1t. Good night and
,odby."