The herald., 1912-07-25
GAMBLERS GRIM DUEL
DYING MAN WON WAGER THAT
HE WOULD OUTLINE OTHER.
n Could Always Beat Sam at Any
Game" He Whispered, and
Passed Away Peacefully
as Any Saint.

The ruling passions of men assert
their power even In the face of death,
said a physician connected with q
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 the
thought of dissolution is subordinate
to the dominant passions that control
the mind
How do you mean7" 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. ut is as simple a
mathematics. When f1nancier 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
mans life has been devoted to
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
tect 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
Tor, and each was willing to bet his
last coin upon the right or wrong OF
any question as he viewed 1t.
Il was in the ward one day when
heard these dying gamblers discuss
ing their situation" said the doctor.
They occupied cots only a 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. l
knew differently and I realized, II
they did not, that both would be dead
within ten or fifteen hours.
"'Say, Jim,' said the elder man.
we're getting down to cases. Pears
to me like you're goin' to cash in
ahead O me-
bet you So, all I've got, Sam, you
cash in ahead O. me- replied Jim. his
face flushing with excitement.
You're on, Jim,' returned Sam
smilingly. I've got the dough In my
wallet
This remarkable duel of two dying
men," went on the physician, "necessi-
tated a stakeholder, and the money Of
both was taken by a nurse and placed
upon chair between them within the
reach Of either. They chaffed each
other for a time, and Jim asked II Sam
would donate the stake to the hospital
II he won. Sam answered that he pur-
posed to have a good time with 1t at
CoQey Island or elsewhere. Their jok-
ing really was CHASTITY, and 1t was
quite evident that all thoughts OF
death had been forgotten In the ex-
element Of the outcome of the wa
ger"
The end came swiftly; Sam was
cycling the little roll of bills upon the
chair longingly, but his eyes began
to droop and his respiration became
stertorous. Jim watched Sam long
ingly, and his quickened respiration
and glazing eyes indicated that he
was in the final throes. Three hours
after the bet was made Sam lay 81
lent, a smile of expectancy upon his
wan cheeks.
THE poor chap had lost the bet"
said the doctor, and | lost no time
In telling Jim he had won. If ever |
sa' rapture in the eyes of any man
i saw 1t in Jim's. He asked me to
give him the money, and as placed
1t In his nerveless hand he whispered,
4 always could beat Sam at any
game, and died as peacefully as any
saint.
Jim had a sister, and the money
went to her, with some jewelry OF
slight value"