The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-08-22
A STEP
BACKWARD
BY WILLIS BEACH POTTER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
ciation, 1911

theological seminary entered Bhln'
hiing den In Dead Mans Gulch and,
standing In the center of the room,
said in sonorous voice:
"you are invited TO attend n prayer
meeting In Tompson's wood to com
mence at 8 O'Clock. 1t is now a quar-
ter to 4. trust that every man pres
ent will be there"
Instead of every man showing a will
Sngness to go to Tompson's wood ev-
cry man proceeded with what he was
doing, which was principally gambling.
The young clergyman-he might have
been twenty-seven or twenty-eight
years old-looked mildly upon this
want of response, not in the least dis
couraged, and was about to leave the
saloon when his attention was attract
cd to young girl who came in. ap-
preached table where half n dozen
men were playing poker, and. putting
her arms around the neck of one Of the
players. begged him to leave.
do come home. father" she said.
Mother is sick and your being here
worries her"
after I've played few hands more,
BfBe. I've had long run of bad luck.
which is sure TO turn"
The clergyman from the moment tho
girl entered was visibly affected by
her presence. Going to the table, he
looked over the game for awhile, then
said to her father. IF you go home
s.-h run 10 IN
losses" Every one looked up at the
speaker surprised, especially the man
addressed He rose, leaving seven or
eight dollars on the table. and, telling
his daughter to go home and say to her
mother that he would be there soon.
stood looking over the game.
His fellow gamesters were FIVE stool
pigeons and one card sharp. They had
heeced the man who had given up his
place out of nearly all the money he
possessed. The clergyman steadily
won, but In small amounts. till he had
Increased the pile before him to sew
erai hundred dollars. Then the card
sharp gave his stool pigeons look and
opened the next hand for n Jack pot
All stayed in for one round, then drop
ped out on the second and on the third
the betting was left to the card sharp
and the clergyman. who continued TO
raise each other till the pot resembled
O miniature mountain.
BY this time there were n number Of
iookefs on, and the excitement waxed
high. A clergyman playing against
Dave Simpson, who was known for
the siickest card sharp at Dead Mans
Csuich, was an interesting sight to see.
When the two men tired OF raising
each other Simpson "called" the cler-
agyman. This by the rules of the game
compelled the latter to show his hand
1Rrst, an evident disadvantage to him.
playing with light fingered oppo-
nent who might increase his hand aft.
a knowing what the clergyman held.
The broad brim of the parsons cleri-
eai felt hat was pulled down over his
eyes. and his cards were held close un'
Ger them Presently no said mildly:
Il see four kings in my hand, and
nothing will beat four kings except
-tour aces. Since I've got an ace, too,
there's no way for you to beat me ex'
cept by introducing an ace from an
other pack. which would, to say the
least, be irregular. I'm going to show
my cards, and If you have that tfth
ace I'd advise you TO keep 1t dark"
The speaker seemed to be troubled
81 hn ln 90 lt
and put hand up to scratch. When
he withdrew his hand he held IN 1t II
Knife eight inches long. which he held
over his opponent The latter retained
his nerve, sitting motlonless.
you're no parson," he said. who
are you"
II nm n clergyman OF the Methodist
Episcopal church My name is james
Sykes. formerly desperate and black.
Jag. but reformed"
Throwing his cards on the table, he
told the man for whom he played TO
scoop In the pot,
Every one had heard of Jim Sykes,
and not u man among the gamblers
dared TO tackle him. He went home
with the man he had befriended ana
on arrival said:
''You people have forgotten me, but
haven't forgotten you. Once when
n posse was after me TO hang me this
young lady. then a slip OF girl. hid
me and saved my neck. These funds
are small token Of my gratitude"
He took the girls hand In his and
looked into her eyes with his. which
were full OF gratitude.
Il remember" she said. 'slx or sew
en- years ago young man coming TO
our house and telling me that he was
hunted for his life, but he could not
possibly be- you. He was frightful
booking object. You. on the contrary,
are the personincation OF all that is
good"
And what made the change in mel
The little girl who saved my life.
resolved that her effort should not be
In vain determined TO i've for the
good Instead OF the bad, was con.
yerted by AN evangelist and Joined the
Methodist church. Now ! am work