The Detroit times., 1908-09-23
LOSES HIS SISTERS
ENGAGEMENT RING
ON -FOUR KINGS
FIFTH CARD. AN ACE. SEEMED TO
MAKE THE JEWEL AND BIG POT
HIS FOR THE MERE REACH.
ING.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22.-Meetirg
a supposed old-time friend after
lapse of years. accepting an introduc-
ton 10 the group he was with. all good
fellows, having two or three sociai
glasses. and then taking hand at
poker. in which he lost al his money
and his sisters engagement ring on
four kings and an ace. was the tough
luck Of NJ. Levin, a travelling salesman
for a watch manufacturer. who is
passing his vacation at Ocean Park,
| where his sister and other relatives
reside Levin appeared at the police
station and afterward told his story
10 Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Williams.
According to his story. Levin came
TO Los Angeles from Ocean Park 10
put In some time from the sound OF
the sad sea waves, which had de-
pressing effect upon him, he being &C
customed to the din OF busy streets.
In the course OF a stroll he visited
several cafes, listened 10 the music
and quenched his thirst with different
beverages. He emerged from one OF
the places intending to board q car,
but had not proceeded far when he
was accosted by a man who exclaim-
ed:
| Old Friend Glad to See Him.
| We'll, well, old man. Where have
| you been all these years? II has been
many moons since | saw you. I am
going to visit couple OF friends and
would like to have you go along. We
might play little game OF cards"
/ Levin could not remember where he
had seen the man before. but decided
he would accompany him to the place
where his friends were. They walked
down to Third-st and went upstairs
to room In a building between Broad
way and Spring-sts.
| Formalities were dispensed with.
and in a short time Levin was abb
sorbed in an interesting game OF polk
err. 1t was agreed that there would
be no limit, and Levin opened one OF
the pots for five half eagles.
All but one stayed" He raised"
Levin back. and then cards were
drawn. Levin stood pat. Why
should he draw? Wasn't he looking
into the faces OF four persons In king
Ily costume and the acknowledged
spot on a carmine printed card? He
already felt the weight Of the glitter
ing pile OF gold. All. he had more than
a hundred dollars In his pocket. and
/ should the stranger stay" until that
was In the pot he had ring on his
fnger-a ring with diamond set
ting worth $l75--he could put II In
the pot.
"saId Gimme Two cards.-
The stranger considered for mo-
ment. then asked for two cards.
"Threes," thought Levin. Il hate
to take the money"
The cards were dealt the man and
he shuffled them about as If afraid 10
| look at their faces. Finally with a
sigh of resignation he glanced at the
! corners and with took OF pain de-
clared he would raise Levin several
| bones.
To avoid arousing the other mans
suspicious Levin controlled his emo
ton as best he could, saw the raise
and increased the pot until he had
$211 on the table and his turn TO
raise again The players who had
dropped OUT fairly held their breath
as they witnessed such reckless bet
ting. Both men held their cards face
downward on the table In front OF
them.
Surely" thought Levin, that man
can't hold a better hand than l. have
four kings and an ace; my cards can
not be beaten. He must be insane to
bet against me. I will raise him until
he refuses to bet
But after searching his pockets
Levin discovered that he had no more
money. II wish l had a hundred dol
lars. I would raise you" he is said 10
have remarked. The man glanced az
the sparkling diamond on Levin's
finger and said: Put the ring In for
a hundred"
Levin hesitated. The ring was his
sisters engagement ring and was re.
Gently given to her. She Is to be mar
ried shortly, and afraid of losing the
glittering circiet while bathing among
| the breakers at the beach resort gave
| II to her brother for safe keeping.
Levin was staggered. He looked at
his cards, at the glittering pile Of gold
iheaped up on the center OF the table
and ut the ring his sister priced above
all her Jewels.
81 Can't Lose"
81 can't lose" he muttered. "My
cards are the highest. Why should /
lose that stack of gold coin for the
sake OF q foolish sentiment. I will
risk the jewel"
The opposing player seemed irritat-
al af Invfu's tnaudfble sOlflOuuy