The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-09-25
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ISss Francisco. They became ac-
tyO quainted with George Hop
kins. interested in Raw Hide mining
properties.
Doc Floyd sat in the marble-finished
rotunda of San Francisco's best hotel
the morning after his arrival. He had
finished with his newspaper and
was gazing out upon the little park
across the street filed with palms and
beds of bright-hued flowers. Neither
Col. Powley nor Jack Cleland had ap-
peared, and he was rather glad when
the young mining man he had met on
the train came upon him, and he was
reused from his self-absorption by
CHEEKY greeting. Looking up, he saw
that young Hopkins no longer wore
corduroys and heavy hunting boots,
but was blue-serged. green-hatted and
patent-leathered, and altogether sporty
looking enough to belong to his own
set.
"All alone, see," remarked Hopkins
as he touched Floyd upon the shoulder.
IF you've not been to breakfast, I'd
like to have you join me-"
I'D be pleased to- assented Floyd,
who had grown hungry waiting for his
friends. Those fellows who came
with me must be taking an extra por-
ton of sleep this morning. I'll not
wait any longer for them
Down in the grillroom a breakfast
was served, the equal of which is not
to be had in any other city in the
United States, excepting. perhaps,
New Orleans. BY the time Floyd and
Hopkins had lit their cigarettes they
were conversing as old friends.
ooh, look who's arrived" burst out
Tony the Tout, upon catching sight Of
Floyd and his party. IF it isn't the
Big Doctor, and l haven't seen him
since Hamburg was a two-year-old.'
"And say" whispered Tony, in con-
Adential tones, find out tonight what
business that young man who was
with you this afternoon has with old
Tom Camp. They were of in a cor
ner for long time and II your friend
amt some wise fish he's apt to be bit"
That night after dinner Floyd, in
conversation with young Hopkins, eau
tiously led the talk up to Tom Camp.
and then asked the f1at-footed question
as to whether Hopkins had entered or
was about to enter into any deal
well, I'm rather ashamed of it, be
cause it does look like crooked deal,
returned Hopkins; but I'm lot loser
on the game, first and last, and it looks
like chance to get even, so was go
ang to take it. II you know anything
about Camp, you know he has some OF
the best horses on the track. He says
hes been in hard luck this winter and
lost several thousand dollars buckine
the faro bank. His proposition is fol
me to put In $1,000 to help back a
book. He will put in $4,000 of his own
money, making good strong banh
roll. The books are all making money
now, and besides the even break we
would get in on the regular play;
Camp says he can fix race or two sc
we can win some sure money. He II
certain that we can pull out $25,00(
each in week."
THAT all listens WELL" broke il
Floyd.
whats the matter with it?" ques
toned Hopkins. II don't know WHY
I'm telling you all this, anyway. 70,
hight queer my game for all l know.
mo, I'll do nothing of the kind" an
swered Floyd. "But I'll bet you fiv,
hundred now that If ! don't save you
Camp will trim you for whatever yol
put In. II it's such a sure thing, wha
does he want with a partner to shar'
the profits? Any time a man offer
you something for nothing, lock vi
your bank roll and keep your hand Oh
your jewelry. Do you follow me?"
"Yes, it does look that way" as
scented Hopkins; but you see he need
$4,000 to make the book safe, and h
only has about $1,000 in ready none
that he can lay his hands on. That
why he wants some one to come 1
with the other $4,000"
That's just what they all say, an
now I'm convinced that you are schet
uled to be the goat" announced Floyt
did he explain to you just how h
was going to pull of one of those a
legged sure things?'"
Yes, there's a race on the card Il
morrow in which he has horse ell
tered that can win. He also control
the only other contender in the rae
He can throw the race to whicheve
horse he wants to. You know that
possible. don't you?"
Yes, I've seen such things done, an
then again I've seen them fall mo-
awfully hard. l can see now no
easy 1t will be for him to break ii
book and get your $1,000 on one rae
Come on up to my rooms and I'll /
ftiate you into the art of beating Il
double cross. IL there's any chance
do 1t: and II there isn't then you'd be
Tor kaan vorr S6f1n1 In the hank