The Washington herald., 1911-03-12

as I would have practiced music had
been an enthusiast over some musical in
strument. For hours and hours l would
sit in my room and work 20 make myself
an expert at bottom dealing second
dealing" shifting the cut" and the
rest Of thu accomplishments OF the sure
thing gambler.
The result Of it all was. I did become
an expert. and l made money at it I've
been all over the country. making most
OF the big burgs and doing the ''rattlers'
(trains) between stops. l was always
''on the make" and l usually cleaned up.
Sometimes the money came in chunks
Constantly on the alert to make an
honest dollar, the hest part of my life
has been spent in learning and invCnting
now work" with tho cards and other
gambling paraphCrnaia. | would lure
and endeaVOr to Outwit my quarry, en-
plOyinC every known ruse. and dcvisinC
others. as necessity required. to Cntrap
and victimiZc my fellow-man. With d
mind schOolcd in crooked ways, and wits
Sharpencd by necessity. | have piled my
trade. depending upon skill and cunning
for the breath of life. Practically my
sole reliance during my wanderinGs have
been a deft and supple hand and nimble
fingers with which to deceive the un-
wary.
In GiIdcd Gambling Halls.
In the practice Of my profession" I
have alternated. as the swing Of the pen
dulum, between scenes of affluence and
those of penury.
With an ever-chanGinG base as the field
of activity. I have worked eveEy route"
or system in the repertoire of the profess
sionaI gamester, as eXpediency suggested
or occasion demanded.
oI1ya1 in 10 syildeI gam
bling halls. have rolled the bones"
with wharf rats" along the river fronts
I've dealt faro in the West, with all its
wild and "woolly'' surroundings. I've
gambled in dives and in the homes of the
aristocrats. The steamboats, and the rail-
way trains for years yielded me a rich
harvest. Through false credentials and
methods known to the profession I have
even gained access to private clubs, Sc
cret societies, and ether exclusive circles
For near a score of years 1 have been
on the scout" recognizing no distinction
as to race. color, or creed.
Among the many devices by which
live ones are separated from their
money is the big mitt game" This
method is known to the fraternity also
as the "cold deck route" and is cele-
brated as a cleanup system. 1t is used
only by the top-notchers of the profess
sion. Greatly in vogue as a get-rich-
quick proposition, the big mitt" has
wallngford and his tribe beat forty
ways from the jack.
How the Gamblers Do II.
A gentleman bearing all the earmarks
of a tourist is journeying upon the iron
highway. for instance. Apparently bored
and jaded by the monotony of the trip,
he brightens perceptibly at the approach
of a dapper young fellow who, with a
persuasive smile, makes the proposal of a
little game of seven-up or pitch, Just to
while the tedium of travel away" Gain
ing acquiescence, another fellow-raveler
close by is similarly approached, who
also intimates his willingness to take
hand, with the proviso, of course, that
the requisite number is secured.
But one additional player is now need
ed. All. a live Onei Excuse me, sir,
addressing a prosperous (and easy) look
ing gentleman across the aisle, but
would you object to taking a hand, to
fill out the game: just little sociable
affair, you know" Nothing loath, the
accommodating gentleman joins in.
All hands seated at the improvised Ia
BILE, play goes merrily on, the stranger
congratulating himself on having met
such jolly good fellows.
At the psychological moment a certain
industrious individual raises the cooler"
and at once business becomes brisk.
I've got a pretty good poker hand"
remarks number one, scanning his cards
with evident interest Here, too" echoes
a companion. 'T wouldn't mind betting
a dime or a good cigar on my own hand.
were we playing poker" chimes in num-