The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-01-17

u
went up To Joe Henlcy's gambling
place In Forty-fourth street. Most OF
the well known gamblers up town. as
well ms their respectable" down town
fellow members of the fraternity, were
old acquaintance OF mine. Joe Healey
was as close "a friend as j had. lie
had great fame for squnrenesS-and. IN
q sense, deserved a. With his fellow
gamblers he was straight as string at
all times--to bc otherwise would have
meant that when he went broke ne
would stay broke. because none OF tho
fraternity would stake" him. But with
his patrons-being regarded by them as
a parIah, he acted toward them like
n pariah-a prudent pariah. He fooled
them with "a frank show Of gentleman
illness. OF honesty TO his own hurt: un-
der that cover he fieeced them well, but
always Judiciously.
That night, 1 recall Joe's guests were
several young fellows OF the fashionable
set. rich mems sons and their parasites,
few OF the big down town operators
who hadn't yet got hipped OF respect
ability"-ihey playing poker In pri-
waite room-and a couple or flush faced.
flush pursed chaps from out OF town.
for whom one of Joe's men was deal
Ing faro from what looked To my ex-
perienced and accurate eye like
brace" box.
Joe. was very elegant. too elegant IN
fact. I'm evening dress. was showing n
new piece OF stntuary to the oldest son
of Melville. NJ the National Industrial
bank. Joe knew a little something
about art--he was much like the art
dealers who ~ n matter OF business,
learn the difference between good things
and bad but Ia their hearts wonder and
Taught ut people willing Ca part with
large sums OF money for n little paint
or marble or the like.
As soon as Joe thought he had SUM-
ciently impressed young Melville. he
driftCd him To n roulette table. left
him there and Joined me.
Come to my Office" said he. II
want 60 see you"
lie led the way down the richly car
peted marble stairway as far ms the
landing at the turn. There. on sort
Of mezZnninc. he had "A gorgeous little
suite. The principal object Ia the sit
ting room or Office was n huge safe.
He closed and locked the door behind
US.
"Tasc n seat said he. You'll like
the cigars In the second box on my
dssk-the long one" And he began
turning the combination lock. You
haven't dropped In on W. for the past
three or four months" he went on,
No" said I. getting a great deal Of
pleasure out of seeing again. and thus
Intimately. his round. ruddy face-like
yachimans. not like n drinker'H-
and his shifly. laughing brown eyes.
1.-THE game down town has given me
enough excitement. I haven't had To
continue u up town tn keep my mind
tn"
> In fact. l had. as I have already
said. been breaking or with my former
friends because. while many 81 the most
reputable and reliable financiers down
town 20 In for high play occasionally
at the gambling houses, II isn't wise
for the man trying tn establish him
self rs n strictly legitimate nnancier.
I had been playing as much as ever.
but only I'm games In my own rooms
and at the rooms OF other bankers,
brokers and commercial leaders. The
passion for high play IL n craving that
gnaws at man all thc time. and he
must always be feeding Il one way OF
another.
rive noticed that you are getting too
swell TO patroniZe us fellows said he
his shrcwd smile showing that my po'
lite excuse had not fooled him. Well
Matt. you're rghl--you always did
have goot sense and q steady eye fni
the main chance. | used to think the
women'd ruin you. they were 80 crazy
about that handsome mug and ngurc ol
yours. But when | saw YOU knew ex'
actly when tn let go. ! knew nothing
could stop you.
By this time h. had the safe open
disclosing several compartments and .
small. inside safe. lie worked away al
the second combination lock. and pres
entity exposed the Interior OF the III
tie safe IL was filled with great
roll OF bills. He pried this out. brought
u over To the desk and began wrap
ping n up. II want you Ia take thi,
with you when you 60 said he. I've
made several big killings lately. anc
I'm going Ia get you 10 invest the pro
ceeds."
II can't take that biz bundle alonl
with me. Joe" said !. Besides, u ain
safe. Put Il IN the bank and send m'
"A check"
Not on your lle," replied Heale!
with "a laugh. THE suckers We trimme'
gave checks, and I turned EN- into casl
as soon ~ the banks opened. i WASH
any too spry. either. Two Of tn
damned sueaks consulted lawyers n!
soon as they sobered on, and tried q
stop payment on their checks. Theyr
threatening proceedings. You mus
take the dough away with you. and
don't want a receipt.
Trimming suckers. chr said j. no
able To decide what to do.
Their fathers stole 10 from the pub
lie" he explained. They're drunke
little snobs. not fit To have money. III
doing "A public service by relieving thcr
OF Il. II I'd n got more. I'd feel tina
much more"-.he vented his light. coo
sarcastic laugh-"more patriotic.
II can't take it. said l. feeling thai
In my present condition, tn take
would be very near tn betraying tn
confidence OF my old friend.
They lost II In "A straight game.
he FASTENED lo assure me. II haven
had a brace box or crooked wheel "a
four years" This with Il sober fac
p and a twinkle in his eye. But eve
N ! had helped chance To do the goo
work Of teaching them To take care
their money. you'd not refuse me. L
town and down town. and all over n
place. what's business, when you con
To look al u sensibly. but trading
stolen goods? DO you know a ma
: who could honestly earn moie than Il
or twenty thousand "A yCar-good Clca
r money by good clean work.
: "Oh. for that matter, your money
- a. clean Rs anybOdy'E." said l. ''Bu
you know, I'm "A Speculation, Joe.
have my downs this happens
: be "A stormy time for ire. II take yo
money, mayn't be able To account &
40 evan b, my IiNIIaflN IL for