New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-30
SURE THING GOES WRONG
Barber, After 81, 400 Poker Loss,
Has "MiIIiOnaiTe" Arrested.
GOT TIP At C0NEY ISLAND
Parts with Savings, He Says, to
Rich Man" Who Just
Hated 20 Win"

When it comes 10 playing poker with
a millionaire who loves TO lose simply
because he has an irresistible liking for
the game ask Michele Astone, a barber.
Of No. 32s East 5Oth street, for a tip
before engaging in play. Astone says
he is out S240O for doing this and a
fashiouably dressed man calling himself
W s Smith thirty-six years old, a
clerk, living at the Hotel Woodstock. 43d
street, near Broadway. is locked up at
the West 47th street station. on a charge
II grand larceny preferred by Astone.
According 70 the story told the police
last night by Astone. he is the victim Of
one Of the cleverest "bunco" games ever
pulled off in New York city. Astone said
he had worked as a barber for some
years. and had accumulated $4,000. He
was at Coney Island last week. and
finally decided that he would buy dia-
mond ring He bought the diamond.
paying $3.50 for II. Then he made the
acquaintance Of a number OF young peo-
PIE at L4lf l-ldlli anu Abli AlLtlll al tblhL
the money he had saved up.
one young man he met cultivated his
friendship more than the rest, and. ac-
cording 20 Astone. one night took him
into his confidence.
According 20 Astones story. he said.
L have d millionaire friend that lives
AT the Hotel Woodstock in New York
and he is crazy about playing poker. He
can't play poker at all, and simply loves
10 lose because he likes the game. Now,
III tell you what III do. You take some
OF my money and go over there and play
with him and I'll pay you 25 per cent
Of all you win You Just can't help win
would play with him myself. but the
last time he and played We had a little
row. and SO I don't want 70 go near him
FOR while"
Astone said the story sounded so
plausible that he spurned the offer to
take his newfound friends money. but
said he would draw his own from the
bank and give him - per cent of his
winnings.
So. according 70 Astone, last Thursday
he drew $3.50 from his bank and went
10 the hotel in West 43d street. There
he says he met the millionaire" and
several other young men. The game
started at once, and Astone said he rap
idly lost his $1,000.
We'll, If that isn't the funniest thing
that has happened TO me in years" AS
tone said the millionaire said when
the game was finished.
That is the first time have won any
money for a year Now. l don't want
the money, for I have millions Of my
own. but I 90 hate 70 give back what
have won. Here, take some OF your
money back and see if you can't win il
all back"
But Astone said that he was so over
joyed at the prospect Of getting another
sured him that he would be back again.
and perhaps then he would win it AL
back
Astone told The police that he really
and truly believed that he had d
"clnch." and could hardly sleep Thurs
day night for thinking Of what he was
going TO do 90 the millionaire the next
night
Friday nigh, saw Astone with $500 in
his hands again at the "millionaire's"
door. so he told The police. and again,
Jy most unneard-ot COINCIDENCE. he
said. the millionaire won again. AS
tone said he took bis diamond ring off
and lost that and was then ushered %
the door and told by the millionaire
10 come back when have struck a los
ing streak" Astone got the detectives
ana the detectives got Smith near the
hotel.