The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-11-23
GAMBLERS GRIM DUEL
DYING MAN WON WAGER THAT
HE WOULD ouTLIvE OTHER.
81 Could Always Beat Sam at Any
Came" He Whispered, and
Passed Away Peacefully
as Any Saint.

Inc rullng passions OF men assert
their power even in the face of DEATH"
said a physician connected with
leading New York hospital to Herald
reporter They will possess the dy-
ing at the final moment as intensely
as they did throughout life, and they
prove beyond question that tho
thought Of dissolution is subordinate
to the dominant passions that control
the mind"
How do you mean?" asked the re-
porter
81 mean that men who have followed
certain paths of life cannot depart
from them even at the final moment"
was the reply. 1T IL as simple
proposition as common rule OF
mathematics. When a financier is dy-
ing his last thought is upon the Sc
curities and funds he is to leave be
hind him, and until he falls into the
state of coma which generally pre-
cedes death he discusses his financial
affairs with members OF his family. II
a mans life has been devoted 10
thoughts of revenge upon his enemies
and death overtakes him before his
mission has been accomplished, his
only regret in passing is that his OBJ
ject in life has not been attained"
Then the doctor told of two gam
blers who died in a hospital some
years ago. They had been chums and
both contracted consumption about
! the same time. One was thirty-eight
years old. the other ten years his jun
ior. and each was willing to bet his
last coin upon the right or wrong OF
! any question as he viewed it.
81 was in the ward one day when
heard these dying gamblers discuss
! ing their situation" said the doctor
"They occupied cots only few feet
apart, and faced each other cheerful
ly. They were so exhausted they could
hardly speak above whispers. but they
felt confident they would recover
knew differently and | realized, Il
they did not, that both would be dead
within ten or fifteen hours.
'rSay, Jim,' said the elder man
we're getting down to cases. Pears
to me like you're goin' to cash II
ahead o me-
"Bet you SO, all I've got, Sam, yo'
cash in ahead o me- replied Jim. hi
face flushing with excitement.
You're on. Jim,' returned San
smilingly. I've got the dough In m!
wallet
This remarkable duel of two dyinl
men," went on the physician, "necess
tated stakeholder, and the money o
both was taken by nurse and place.
upon a chair between them within tn
reach of either. They chaffed eacl
other for time, and Jim asked If San
would donate the stake to the hospita
II he won Sam answered that he pui
posed to have a good time with 1t
Coney Island or elsewhere. Their job
ing really was CHASTITY, and 1t wa
quite evident that all thoughts @
death had been forgotten in the e'
element OF the outcome of the wa
ger"
} "The end came swiftly; Sam wa
! cycling the little roll OF bills upon th
CHdlI puN ms NSNS 49,
to droop and his respiration becam
!, stertorous. Jim watched Sam lonI
ingly, and his quickened respiratio
. and glazing eyes indicated that h
was in the final throes. Three hour
after the bet was made Sam lay s
lent, a smile OF expectancy upon b
wan cheeks.
I "The poor chap had lost the bet
said the doctor. 'and | lost no tim
In telling Jim he had won. II ever
sa' rapture in the eyes OF any ma
| saw 1t in Jims. He asked me
give him the money, and as | place
3 It in his nerveless hand he whispere
I always could beat Sam at an
I game, and' died as peacefully as ar
saint
Jim had sister, and the mone
went to her. with some jewelry
slight value"