Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-03-04
0uTW|TTED
the GAMBLER
A Nonbetter's Scheme to
SQuelCh a Nuisance.

|
II is singular how people on u'
ship are gwen to betting '..t
known IA man who when a~nort $50.
consider himself di>SraCed at |
money on IL national election GN
ger AT sea on the rotur Ot thr .-.''~ .t
the pilot who would take the ,..-...
into port
We We're in the middle OF I'M lt
tic ocean. and those OF US Wl.u .r
quented the smoking cabin N.n
come well acquainted. lhrrr Ni-
more inveterate set OF gamblers it..
than usual We not ON, ne' ni l.
daily run of the ship. the wraiunt
all that. but would roniure ~ 81. -.tj-
of disputes on which to stake u''N.
There was one man who H't..
smoked with us vino cOuid not TO-"
duced to gamble. Il clean ~uu, $685.
smooth looking young fellow IN $50
tacles. Somebody said that ne W.
Princeton divinity student. nut ,i'
was not SubStantiated. Seeing thaf ~
was not Of the betting kind. we az fr
him alone, except a fellow uhul'
Ashurst. coarse. iii favored n,au
whom none of us liked.
MIR. TillOtsOn. he would say to tht
man who declined to bet. IN ne, lu''
$40 to cent that we don't see nunth"t
vessel this side of Sandy HOOK ~
"I'll bet you twenty to tive that thor"
isn't cloud In the sky tomorrow ~
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 so you. IN bet yo"
$500 even that before we sight FIRE
island III pull the captains nose
Every man present took his cigar
out of his mouth and looked at the
speaker. The captain was the most
dignfied and forbidding man com
handing any of the great liners, a
tyrant to his men and irascible with
his passengers.
II can do that myself" said Ashurst
"if am willing to abide the conse-
quences."
II will stipulate." rejoined Tillotson.
"that If the captain makes the slight
est objection l lose the bet"
Ashurst puffed nervously. blowing
cloud Of smoke. showing by his ex
preston both desire to possess him
self of Tillotson's money and caution
lest he should be outwitted.
"Oh. there's some guy In that It's
not legitimate subject for a bet."
"See him crawfish." remarked one
Of the smokers. IL knew ned back
out IL any one faced him.
"Why. Ashurst." said another. hes
sure to be pitched overheard. and
you'll take In the $500"
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 noseY'
I'VE willw 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 II 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 Tilotson
could win. but as no way appeared to
him he determined to take the risk.
The money was put up in the hands
Of a 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 man gave
his word to refrain from any collision
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 molesta'
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 u
smoker
mo need Of that" replied 'Tillotson
Hell come down when the weather
clears. II should try 1t now. he'd
murder me-"
The next morning was serene, and
after breakfast we were notified by
Gerkin to assemble in the smoking
room and wait for the ceremony. We
did 80. 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 q chair. his
face covered with lather. sleeping for
the first time in forty eight hours, was
the captain. Over him. in BARRIERS
white jacket. stood Tillotson. shaving
him. When the smokers appeared. Til
totson took the commanders nose be-
tween his fingers and gave it strong