Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-04


trouble in this affair of yours?"
'Tt's her governor dad; Evelyn is all right, but
her father objects to my family and-er-all of
this" taking in the surroundings with wave or
his arm.
"Um-humph, so the Reverend Mr.. Radcliff OBJ
jects to his daughter marrying the son of pro-
fessional gambler? wonder why 1t is that the
word gambler always throws preachers imagina-
tion into perfect frenzy The professional gamb-
ler' is condemned by both church and society,
whether he wins or loses. Not so with the stock
manipulation. II he loses, it is true he Is called
fool, gambler; but If he wins, ah- that's differ
ent If he wins he is brilliant farseeng inancier,
and is welcomed into the fold by both church and
society, they vie with each other In their welcom-
ing.
How about society's 'Bridge-whist parties?
admit some clergymen do condemn them, but gen.
orally speaking they are passed over as societys
newest plaything the last fad, an innocent amuse-
ment. Bosh-it's all gambling but these people,
churchmen and society leaders, have not the nerve
or courage to stand out and say so they cloak 1t
and try to disguise it with softer name"
THAT sounds all right to me, dad, but Mr.. Rad
cliff does not see matters from the same angle as
we do have never known man to be as bitter,
apparently so unreasonable upon the subject, as
he."
"Well, Dannie, don't know, just now, how I can
help you but you mustn't worry too much about
It, We will find some way out of the difficulty.
have good notion to call on the reverend gentle
man and talk matters over with him."
"For heavens sake, dad, don't try to convert the
parson, you'll queer me sure"
"Very well, very well, just leave it to your old
dad we will untangle this all right in time. You
had better go now, my son, expect some visitors
tonight and business will-ah-er-naturally
be strictly confidential. Good night, try not to
worry
Irwin Pierce was successful gambler, his house
was run in the most approved fashion, his patrons
were nearly all rich men, that is, the regulars; of
course small-fry would come and go.
Pressing of the little buttons under his desk,
he lit his cigarette and then turned to the attend
ant who had answered the summons
Jim, the little whitehaired gentleman in the
pokerroom will probably want to see me tonight
will see him. but | want you to signal me before
you bring him in Understand"
Eyes sir; but the gentleman is waiting to see
you now."
"Ah-a little sooner than 1 expected. He must
have been playing rather recklessly tonight Send
him in, JIM"
A little old man entered the room, falteringly
hesitatingly, looking suspicousy around as IL he
feared trap some unseen enemy.
Come in in, am not going to hurt YOU
That is all, JIM I will ring when want you
Now Mr.. Harper sit down here by me. Have
a cigarette? Cigar? No? Very well. now we VIII
talk business, and see"
'Mr Pierce for Gods sake don't take my house.
my home away from me, give it back to me, Will
pay you it's equal in time. | will give you twice
it's value, will work my fingers to the bone Tor
you. My God you have all my money does not
that satisfy you must you take my home too
wouldn't care for myself, but my wife and my
children, have pity on them Mr.. Pierce, even II you
have none for 1 will get down on my knees
to you see-I am an old man, am at your feet,
on my knees begging, pleading for mercy
There there, you mustn't take 1t so hard, get
up calm yourself give me an opportunity to DO
little talking l wish l could convince you that
you are in no way qualified for this business
Don't you know that it takes, first, thorough
knowledge of the game; second, brains and third,
good strong will, to gamble successfully. NOW,
you haven't any of these qualifications, you go into
a game recklessly headforemost, bet heavily and
without any judgment, then blame me because you