The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-06-19
OUTWITTED
THE GAMBLER
A NOnbetter'S Scheme to
SqueIch 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 Attain
| tic ocean. and those of us who frtA-
| quented the smoking cabin had be-
| come well acquainted There was a
more inveterIte set OF gamblers aboard
than usual. We not only bet OH the
daily run of the ship. the weather ana
all that. but would conjurp up all sorts
Of disputes Oh which to stake money.
There was one man who always
| smoked with us who could not he in
! duced TO gamble. II clean shaved.
| smooth looking young fellow in spec
tacles Somebody said that he was
Princeton divinity student. but that
was not Substantiated Seeing that hr
was not of the betting kind. we all let
him alone, except fellow named
Ashurst coarse. i'll favored man
whom none of us liked.
'Mr. TillotSon," he would say to the
man who declined to bet. "l'Il bet yon
$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.
81 only want to make it 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 Mt the
speaker. The captain was the most
dignified and forbdding man com
manding any of the great liners.
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 | lose the bet"
Ashurst putfed 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 he outwitted.
"Oh, there's some guy in that. It's
not a legitimate subject for 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 $500"
Thus badgered on the one hand and
encouraged on the other, Ashurst be-
gan to give way
Twill 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 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. ana he was
| pledged to secrecy. Every M n 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 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 Il
smoker.
mo need of that" replied Tillotson.
HELL come down when the weather
clears. Tf'I 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 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 a chair, his
face covered with lather. sleeping for
the first time in forty y-eight hours, was
the captain Over him, in BARRIERS
white jacket. stood TlIlotson. shaving
him. When the smokers appeared, TIL
IOtson took the commanders nose be-
tween his fingers and gave it strong
pull. Its owner was too sleepy after
his long watch even 10 waken, nor did
the shout of laughter from those with
cut produce the slightest effect.
1t was unanimously decided that Til
lOtson had fairly won. The money
went to the Sailors Snug Harbor.
.----