The sun., 1910-01-30
LOW JACK DRISCOLL
1 L KEPT HIS PROMISE
Paying His Debt After Settling
With the Man Who
Killed Him.

Ii was not a new experience for Mr.
Jack Driscoll to find himself penniless
though he enjoyed it no more than the
average man. but 10 was with a perfect
assumption of indifference that he pushed
back his chair after seeing the dealer
pick up his last stack Of chips. he having
called the turn queen, ace, and the cards
having fallen ace. eight. queen.
HIS run OF luck for the night had been
disastrously bad. and his last purchase
OF chips had been made with the only
bill remaining in his pocket. Moreover.
he remembered, with a savage inward
curse, that he had no small change what
ever. Some men placed as he was would
have directed their curses at the gam
bling fever that had led him to the faro
table after quitting a poker game with
handsome winnings. but sIr. Driscoll
would as soon have thought Of reviling
his own perfect physical condition as OF
accusing himself OF an undue fondness
FOR games Of chance. That he had suf-
fered purely by chance he was we'll as
sured. for there was not a dealer in town
who would have undertaken to play
was on the other side OF the table.
1t was therefore entirely without bit
teIness, save that which is inseparable
from defeat. that he rose from his seat,
shaking his head slightly in reply to the
dealers look of inquiry. and strolled over
to the sideboard. where he poured out a
liberal drink Of whiskey and swallowed
it with the appreciation Of a connoisseur.
1t was thoroughly understood by all who
saw him that he would play no more that
night, for. fond as he was OF good liquor,
he never drank until he was through play.
and then only onse for the night. Be-
yond that. as he knew from past expert
ence. il was Tot safe for him to go.
As he walked across the street toward
his hotel he smiled to himself at the
Thought Of the bill he should have
settled that night but though it was big
he betrayed no. nervousness when the
night clerk asked him politely but point
edly il he would pay up. Not tonight
he said briefly and went directly to his
room. No man living could recall any
promise OF Jack Driscoll's that had not
been redeemed to the letter and he made
no promises without full assurance OF
being able to keep them. Smiling again
as he recalled the night clerks queer
expression he fell Immediately into a
deep, refreshing sleep.
The first thought Of the day when he
wakened was OF his finances, but his
toilet was as careful and his breakfast
as luxurious as IL had had no cause for
anxiety. As he prepared himself for the
day. however, with all his customary
care he pondered the difficult question OF
ways and means. Money was much
~ sp, hoA
would be with another. since he had no
means of acquiring it excepting by
stalking that which he might have against
some other mans. Moreover the neces-
sity was immediate and pressing.
Still another grim smile came as he
lighted a choice cigar after breakfast
when he thought OF q newspaper story
about Pat Sheedy. There was a bank
president in town named Ferguson.
concerning whom Driscoll knew more
than his townsmen knew, for Ferguson
was a model OF propriety at home but
more than ordinarily fond OF sport when
he visited Chicago. which he did twice
or thrice a year; and Ferguson was the
man Driscoll thought OF in connection
with the Sheedy anecdote.
II was accordingly at the door of
Ferguson's 8 bank that the gambler finished
his morning walk. Entering. he asked for
an interview with the president and was
presently in the lstters private Office.
Il want TO borrow thousand dollars"
he said. with businesslike directness.
On what security" asked Ferguson.
On my personal promise to pay" said
Drisooll.
Ferguson smiled. 1T is probably good"
he remarked. pleasantly. but as a busi-
L. ~ L..
at least an Endorsement. even from its
customers. From strangers we also
expect collateral
Il am not business man. said Drisooll.
calmly. Il am a gambler, and nIJ only
collateral is my reputation. My name Is
Jack Drscoll, and you may know some
thing about the reputation"
Jack Driscoll OF Chicago?' asked
Formerly of Chicago" was the reply.
'Well,' said Ferguson with a slight
laugh laugh III Il reckon the I bank INK. examiners ,S
money on that security. but / will per-
sonally let you have that amount IL you
want it,"
Tonight" said DriscolI, -and il you
will step over TO my hotel after your
business hours the proprietor will satisfy
you as to who am"
When the man who had gone out broke
the night before reentered Pardee's faro
bank that evening he had ten yellow
backed bills in his pocket. and the same
expression Of serene Indifference on his
face.
Going to try il again, Jack?" asked a
fellow gambler.
-Oh. I Just want to see il the Lck will
hold,' said Driscoll carelessly. and he
went on to the table where the same dealer
was serving the cards TO half a dozen
PLAYERS.
Standing a little back he watched the
play until he saw the seven win twice in
succession. Then seeing by the case that
another seven remained in the box, he
pulled out one OF his bills and laid il on
the seven with a copper over IL.
Seven won again for the house and
the dealer raked in his hundred with a
few chips that some OF the others had
placed Ia following his play. Then Dris-
coll pulled up q chair and bought $500 in
chips.
These he placed in various heaps over
the board when the next deal began and
watched with imperturbable Calmness
while every ono OF his bets lost.
Seems like it was holdin'. Jack" said
his friend.
81 don know replied Driscoll. THAT