Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-27

the small towns that desired his interest
and friendship came with the news that
the boys had made a pool and raised $4,000
to play a game of poker with him.
Gates looked at his watch and replied
Boys, l haven't much time to stay in
town and l am sorry to dissppofnt you.
tell you what I'll do, I'll match you for it,"
Mr.. Gates last office was in the Trim
ity building. New York. He called his firm
Charles G. Gates & Co. Others termed 1t
THE House of the Twelve Apostles" as
a dozen partners were in It. Gates was
considered a good bridge whist player.
Often after p. m. bridge was played in
the office. One day there were only three
to play. A young man of good family
but not wealthy, came in.
sit down" said Gates, agreeably. II
hate to play with dummy"
How much point do you play?" asked
the newcomer.
Fifty" said Gates.
II can't afford it," was the rejoinder.
Twenty-Five is a big game for me-"
well, make up the rubber" said Gates,
diasppontedly Wen play for twenty
five
The young man played we'll, had luck and
won.
I'VE have a sort of clearing house here"
said Gates when the game ended. I'm send
you your check in the morning"
The young man got check for $4,000.
Astonished, he took it to the signer.
What does this mean?" he asked. II
calculated that won $3.50. We were play
ing for 25 cents a point, weren't WEI"
I'VE were playing for S25 a point" re-
turned Gates.
"Wha-at? Why, II I'd lost couldn't have
paid"
IF you hadn't paid we'd have run you
out of the city," said Gates, coldly. But
you won. Cash that check" 1t was cashed.
Boosting y Slow Game.
Besides this pleasing little story to en-
phsslze Mr.. Gates sermon, another Is told.
The governor of a certain western state
was playing poker here with Gates, John
A. Drake and one OF Gates brokers. The
game grew slow.
lets raise the limit from $50 TO $1,000
suggested Gates. The broker demurred. He
knew the value OF money. But the limit
was raised. The governor won $4,000.
How much are you WORTH" the broker
admiringly asked the governor.
Fifty thousand dollars"
Are you in the stock market2"
Yes, for 1900 shares"
Sell"
The governor did. The panic of 1907 fol-
lowed.
Even in the years of his more frugal be-
ginnings he had the gambling instinct well
developed. Pete" McManus, who went TO
Texas with him in 1876 to sell the new
fence material, once told how he had gone
TO the races in st. Louis with Gates and
how on the way there, Gates had handed
him g roll OF bills to place on a certain
horse. This is the way McManus related
the story:
How much money is there in the roll?''
! asked.
Fifteen thousand dollars" he replied
as carelessly as IL it was Is cents.
II placed the $4,000 around among the
different bOokmakers, getting odds Of to
l. When that particular race came on l
got so nervous l could hardly stand IT,
Gates was smiling all the dime and seemed
to be utterly uneoncerns4 about the $500
which had placed for h m.
! tWe watched the hors, run and II there
was ever a time when Gates was uneasy
over his bet he did not show II. His horse
won and his $1,000 brought him $4,000.
Forgot a BiE Check.
One OF his business associates paid Gates
1 81 $4,000 by check. He carried the check
around In his pocket and forgot to cash II