The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1909-07-29

IA SQVu mcnt of a bet that there
GA CON was not man in the Coun
H-uusasy try with $4,000 who could
be beaten out of that amount on the
ancient gold brick game. The din
ner end of the bet was merely pal
try side issue for the big cX.aldcrman
had also wagcred $1,000 and lost that
too.
Doc Floyd had asserted that even
Ia 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. "I'll bet just
one more bundle OF $4,000 and again
dinner for tho crowd that II can't
be done. Why the biggest sucker in
the country would take your flash
bank roll away from you IL you tried
to work that"
We'll, maybe he would" returned
Floyd. but III just bet you IL can he
done and win let Clcland do the rough
work and Ill just go along to oversee
1t. | may have to find the man. but
Ill let Jack do the trimming"
And I'll take half of Floyd's end
of the bet that they put 1t over" broke
In Col. Powley once more, Is 1t
bet?"
1T is. I'm game for another try"
replied the alderman.
How about 1t. Jack? Can we do it?"
CURED Floyd of a tall, cold eyed dy.
spepuc looking person who had sat
silent. slipping his wine and putting
big cigar throughout the bantering con.
vcrsntlon.
Jack Cleiand merely grunted his as.
sent. He was the one pessimist of the
party. but always dependable and
handy man To have in any deal.
a DeH changed, a gate slammed and
the conductor and belated passenger
climbed aboard the Twentieth Century
Limited train which was leaving the
LA Sale street station. Chicago for It's
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 a
trim sail boat propelled by "a gentle
breeze. Al the forward end of the
train. the buffet car. comfortable
small club ON wheels, already was
more than half filed with passengers.
Seated on one side OF the car Doc
Floyd was contentedly pulling a cigar
cite 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 tho 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.
Acquaintance are almost as easily
made In the smoking car of a train as
on shipboard and here was Floyd not
20 miles out of Chicago drinking with
person whose natural propensities
for "buttlng in" with strangers could
not he 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 a swift and certain fall
Oh yes. Solomon was wise one. II,
knew II and was proud of it, F1oyC
had listened to his talk and wondere,
the while. whether there was chanc,
to take some OF Solomon's easily got
ten wealth and also lower his stool
OF conceit. He concluded that It nigh
be well worth while to cultivate hi
new acquaintance. IL was at least WORT
trying. so he ordered another bottle
which further mellowed the talkatiy,
one, whose tones by this time had dis
turbed commercial traveller who sa
near him running over columns OF fig
ures in his sales book.
The travelling man appeared slight,
annoyed as he glanced toward tn
wine drinkers, Suddenly he SCENE,
to think Of something and placing hi
memoranda In his pocket he turned L
Floyd and his companion and asked |
they cared to kill the time with
small game until the call came fo
dinner in the dining car.
"Sure." was the reply OF Solomon
answering for Floyd as well as hin
self. "My friend and | will play
you'll dig up some one else"
A telepathic thought seemed I
travel from Floyd to Jack Clcland VIII
was looking at the party from the OF
posite side of the car. Yle other
also seemed to notice his presence 9
the same time and 1t appeared a mer
chance that he was invited to max
the fourth man in the game.
The play was not resumed after din
ner, Cleland saying that he had los
about all he could afford, but the part
stuck together and when it came tim
to retire for the night, Solomon
Floyd and Cleland had all agreed
make their headquarters at the Hot,
Astor during their stay in New Yor
and see more OF each other. III
drummer had told them that his HON
was in the city bat that he hoped /
ock them up during their stay.