The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-23

Saitpeter; know you by your kind looks, for men have told me of your heart"
 ''Oy, oy! It's a touch, muttered the subject of the encomium.
 The man went on: "I am Pete Sim mons, a brand plucked from the burn ing. I am doing a little preaching around the corner here in Forty-second street. although not regular member of the preaching profession. 1 want no money, kind sir, and you, his good friends and associates, L seek a favor far greater than the ,pittance that you might bestow on me at my solicitation MT. Saltpeter and brothers, gambling has been the curse of my life. I was brought to see the err TOT of my ways a few months ago in our mission. It was shown to me that gam bling was a snare; that only the ac- cursed play poker"
 MT. Saltpeter held up his hand. Don't be so hard about 1t, MT. Simmons. Poker is all right. It is not game for Kin chens, but men can play it. Take a chair"
 MT. Simmons sat down and resumed his monologue The game was curse to me. l played 1t nights and In my troubled sleep in the daytime l dreamed of it. l was always drawing for flush or try ing to catch four aces and figuring out how much 1 could win. For you know gentlemen, they say that there never is anything out against four aces-that the man who holds them always has walk away for the pot
 However, l am not here to weary you and interrupt your game I am in this position: l have applied for the leader ship of our little band of reformed ones 1t now being yacant-and 1t Is mine, to- gether with the hand in marriage of one of the sisters-she has many sheckes of On1 nd ell i hot reformed man. strong enough to resist temptation.
 T have heard of your poker club and I am here merely to ask you to let me watch you play. Tempt mel Tell me can play if l wish. I have brought a large sum of money with me'-he ex- hibted roll of bills-"and if I.can watch you play for two hours, knowing that may get Into the sinful game, and l re- sist the temptation, then l know my reformation Is complete and that I will go my way and sin no more. Tempt mel
 we will, all right" said MT. Satpeter And when l say that you have a cor dial invitation to come into the game, believe me, do not wish to tempt you, but wish a chance at your roll of money Sit right here near me and watch the game as much as you please"
 MT. Pete Simmons groaned and sat dow4 The game proceeded and he showed much interest in 1t, even making comments on certain plays and exhibiting considerable Knowledge.
 MT. Levi Blaustein held four hines and took in a big pot, MT. Shabbosdeckel hay ing queen full.
 MT. Pete Simmons gave forth many sighs and even wept a lttle Notice me not gentlemen" he said. Pay no at tention to me: am fighting the temptor; it's a desperate struggle"
 A little later MT. Blaustein broke a jackpot on a flush and Messrs. Saltpeter and Shaumberg caught flush and full house, respectively, against him in the draw. The betting was spirited and at its conclusion MT. Simmons cast himself to the floor and roughed himself emitting cries.
 The Choohems paused in their game and observed him. I'm conquered" said Pete Simmons in husky voice filled with emotion. 'T am exhausted; have fought the good fight, but I'm beaten. Deal me hand, first letting me get out thou sand dollars that the fiend insists that I must put into the game. Yes, good men, I lose the fight. But you will bear wit ness I made desperate struggle"
 Sure, we bear witness that something happened, said MT Saltpeter. Get your money up and play in thih hand it's a jack. Everybody up!"
 Now that the contest with temptation