The new era., 1909-08-05
<SII

try with $4,000 who could
be beaten out of that amount on the
ancient gold brick" game. The din
try side issue for the big eX-alderman
had also wagered $4,000 and lost that,
"a a. r,ovo ,,, ,...r,., ,,,, .v.n
IN the twentieth century the time
worn green goods game could be
worked.
Have you got the nerve to tell me
that you can put over the old green
goods thing" was the amazed demand
OF Alderman Mehanty. "Tll bet just
one more bundle of $4,000 and again
a dinner for the crowd that it can't
be done. Why the biggest sucker in
the country would take your flash
bank roll away from you if you tried
to work that
Well maybe he would" returned
Floyd. but I'll just bet you it can be
done and will let Cleland do the rough
wop< and I'll just go along to oversee
1t. / may have to find the man, but
III let Jack do the trimming"
And I'll take half of Floyd's end
of the bet that they put it over" broke
IN Col. Powley once more. Is it a
bet?"
1t is. I'm game for another try"
replied the alderman.
How about it, Jack? Can we do it?"
quired Floyd of a tall cold eyed dy-
speptic looking person who had sat
silent, slipping his wine and putting a
big cigar throughout the bantering con-
versation.
Jack Cleland merely grunted his as
sent. He was the one pessimist of the
party, but always dependable and a
handy man to have in any deal
A bell changed, a gate slammed and
the conductor and belated passenger
climbed aboard the Twentieth Century
Limited train which was leaving the
La 0lle street station. Chicago for its
1S-hour spin to New York. The big
engine throbbed and the long train of
rolling palaces slid out of the shed
without jerk or tremor, as easily as
trim sail boat propelled by a gentle
breeze. AT the forward end of the
train, the buffet car, a comfortable
small club on wheels, already was
more than half filled with passengers.
Seated on one side of the car Doc
Floyd was contentedly putting a cigar
ette while on the opposite side of the
aisle, Jack Cleland pulled at a strong
cigar, and neither man glanced at or
seemed to know of the presence of the
other. All was quiet save for the
businesslike conversation of two
showmen. The vestibule door opened
and into the car came Solomon Rosen-
berg, wise man of the west in which
section he had imbibed the air of free
dom in speech and manner
Acquaintances are almost as easily
made in the smoking car of train as
on shipboard and here was Floyd not
20 miles out of Chicago drinking with
person whose natural propensities
for "butting in with strangers could
not be overcome Within ten minutes
after they had met, Solomon Rosen-
berg was narrating the story of the
most recent happenings of his life
and riding to swift and certain fall.
Oh yes, Solomon was wise one He
knew it and was proud of it. Floyd
had listened to his talk and wondered
the 0hile, whether there was a chance
to tahe some of Solomon's easily got
ten Wealth and also lower his stock
of conceit He concluded that it might
be well worth while to cultivate his
new acquaintance 1t was at least worth
trying, so he ordered another bottle
which further mellowed the talkative
one, whose tones by this time had dis
turbed a commercial traveller who sat
near him running over columns of fig
ures in his sales book.
The travelling man appeared slightly
annoyed as he glanced toward the
wine drinkers. Suddenly he seemed
to think of something and placing his
memoranda in his pocket he turned to
Floyd and his companion and asked if
they cared to kill the time with
small game until the call came for
dinner in the dining car.
Sure" was the reply of Solomon,
answering for Floyd as well as him
self MY friend and l will play If
you'll dig up some one else"
A telepathic thought seemed to
travel from Floyd to Jack Cleland who
was looking at the party from the op-
posite side of the car. The others
also seemed to notice his presence at
the same time and it appeared mere
chance that he was invited to make
the fourth man in the game.
The play was not resumed after din
ner, Cleland saying that he had lost
about all he could afford, but the party
stuck together and when it came time
to retire for the night. Solomon,
Floyd and Cleland had all agreed to
make their headquarters at the Hotel
Astor during their stay in New York
and see more of each other. The
drumr<y had told them that his home