The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-03-14
OUTWITTED
THE GAMBLER
A Nonbetter'S Scheme to
Squelch a Nuisance.

ger at sea on the color of the eyes of
the pilot who would take the vessel
into port.
We were in the middle OF the Atlan-
tic ocean. and those of us who fire.
quented the smoking cabin had be-
come well acquainted. There was a
more inveterate set of gamblers aboard
than usual. We not only bet on the
daily run of the ship, the weather and
all that, but would conjure up all sorts
Of disputes on which to stake money.
There was one man who always
smoked with US who could not be In
duced to gamble, clean shaved,
smooth looking young fellow in spec
tacles. Somebody said that he was a
Princeton divinity student. but that
was not substantiated. Seeing that he
was not of the betting kind. we all let
him alone. except a fellow named
Ashurst. a coarse, Ill favored man
whom none of US liked.
"Mr. Tillotson." he would say to the
man who declined to bet. all bet you
$40 to a cent that we don't see another
vessel this side of Sandy Hook" or
"I'll bet you twenty to FIVE that there
isn't a cloud in the sky tomorrow at
eight bells noon."
81 never bet" said Mr.. Tillotson.
II only want to make 1t interesting
for the party"
"Well. then. for once, for the sake
Of the party. I'll go you. I'll bet you
$500 even that before we sight Fire
island I'll pull the captains nose"
Every man present took his cigar
out of his mouth and looked at the
speaker. The captain was the most
manding any of the great liners. a
tyrant to his men and irascible with
his passengers.
81 can do that myself" said Ashurst,
''if l am willing to abide the conse-
quences."
81 will stipulate," rejoined Tillotson,
that If the captain makes the slight
est objection l lose the bet.'
Ashurst puffed nervously, blowing a
cloud Of smoke. showing by his ex-
preston both a desire to possess him
self of Tillotson's money and caution
lest he should be outwitted.
ooh, there's some guy in that. It's
not legitimate subject for a bet"
"See him crawfish," remarked one
of the smokers. Il knew he'd back
out If any one faced him."
"Why, Ashurst," said another. "he's
sure to be pitched overheard. and
you'll take in the $780,"
Thus badgered on the one hand and
encouraged on the other, Ashurst be-
gan to give way.
"Will you all see that there's no
catch in the matter" he asked the
party, that he really pulls the cap
tain's nose?
1--WE will" shouted every man.
"Where and when will you do it?"
asked Ashurst.
"When and where like"
"Who's to witness it,"
'"Any or every man here, including
yourself. I'll notify you in time to be
present"
"And if the captain knocks you
DOWN."
"If he objects in any way whatever
the money is yours"
Ashurst was an avaricious man, and
the chance Of winning the money was
drawing him far more than the chat
fing of the party was driving him.
He sat putting vigorously, trying to
think of some way by which Tillotson
could win, but as no way appeared to
him he determined to take the risk.
The money was put up in the hands
of passenger, man named Gerkin.
who had never been in the smoking
cabin and was supposed to be entirely
unprejudiced. The terms of the bet
were explained to him, and he was
pledged to secrecy. Every mSn gave
his word to refrain from any collusion
with the captain. In short. every care
was taken that the wager should be
fair for both parties. The stakes were
not to be turned over to either without
the unanimous vote Of every smoker
present when the bet was made, an
even number, Gerkin to cast the de-
Gliding vote.
The day passed without any moIesta-
ton Of the captain. The weather was
stormy. and he rarely left the bridge.
go up there. Tillotson, and do the
job where all can see it." said a
smoker.
mo need Of that" replied Tillotson.
"He'll come down when the weather
clears. If should try it now. he'd
murder me-"
The next morning was serene. and
after breakfast we were notified by
G~rkin to assemble in the smoking
room and wait for the ceremony. We
did so, and about 10 o'clock Gerkin
came to us and desired us to follow
him. He led the way to the barber
shop. There. reclining on chair, his
face covered with lather. sleeping for
the first time in forty-eight hours, was
the captain. Over him, in q barber'S
white jacket, stood Tillotson, shaving
him. When the smokers appeared, Til
lotson took the commanders nose be-
tween his fingers and gave it strong
pull. Its owner was too sleepy after
his long watch even to waken, nor did
the shout Of laughter from those with
out produce the slightest effect.
1t was unanimously decided that Til
lotson had fairly won. The money