The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-10-02


directly opposite the nanipulator OF
the cards. With garrulous comments
he made his usual two bets and lost.
Every moment the effects of drink
showed more plainly In his flushed
cheeks and thickened speech.
Then suddenly, Just after the big
hands with the agile fingers had
swept in the second $50. Old Ike be-
came foolish.
els tn limit on" he demanded and
stared at Railroad Jim with bloodshot
eyes.
Jim's orbs returned the old mans
gaze without apparent emotion.
"'Tain't reg'lar." he replied life
lessly.
Old Ike banged his hand viciously on
the table.
"Is tn limit off, he shouted
Railroad Jim ran wary eye over
the company before he answered. then:
"All right, unless any gent objects"
he declared coldly
"Any ornery euss as wants ter OBJ
ject d better say so ter mew the old
man spluttered, glaring about. And to
Jim: ~Th' limits OF, huh1 Be rightT'
9Th limits off.p Railroad Jim agreed,
Old Ike drew forth a battered pocket.
book and laid 1t before him on tho
table, one hand st II clutching It.
Throw yer kee cds." he commanded
Railroad Jim obediently displayed
the three cards to the company and to
the old man. All could see them dis
tinctly, the ten OF spades, the ten Of
clubs, the jack Of diamonds The
thrower passed them back and forth
gently, slowly, then dropped them deli
cately one by one on the table.
"I1l bet my pile pick tn JACK" Old
Ike clamored.
How muchT Railroad Jim asked.
His voice was celorless still, but
feck of red burnt In either cheek.
"Just q plumb $4,000w
Ike opened the pocketbook and dis
played thick TO Of bills. Twice he
counted them. There were tens. TWEEN
an even $4,000. lie laid the money In
a neat pile on the table midway be-
tween himself and the three cards.
Match it." he commanded tersely.
Railroad Jim produced his pocket
book in turn and counted out an equal
sum in bills Of large denomination,
fresh from the bank, his profits Of two
weeks. This money lay on his side Of
the table. Between the two heaps of
bills the three cards waited silently, ar
biters Of fortune.
Suddenly something happened - a
swift movement, a flash, thud. A
bowie knife stood quiverins in the ia
bic. its polished steel shaking flame.
The bowie's point was buried deep In
the table top. and 1t pierced and held
fast In its place the center card of the
three.
Old Ike, his spec tacular deed wrought,
stood back little and laughed aloud
The tension Of the startled crowd re-
laxed somewhat They had expected a
robbery, murder. They leaned for.
ward In breathles3 attention.
That's my keerd," the old man cried
triumphantly. His right hand was at
his hip; his left pushed his stack Of
bills up against the center card. That's
my keerd," he repeated defiantly. my
$4,000 is bet on jest that same per-
teller keerd. AMI It's there t winr'
Railroad Jim had neither moved nor
spoken. Now the eyes Of the two
men met and locked for long half
minute, and neither finched in his
stare.
But at last Old Ike again put forth
his left hand, and now he turned over
the card on the right. 1t was the ten
Of spades.
"A moment more OF pause, then he
turned over the card on the left 1t
was the ten Of clubs. The third card
remained face downward pinned to the
table by the bowie's blade.
Once more Old Ike raised his eyes to
those Of Railroad jim
"Do l win?" he asked tauntingly.
And again he laughed.
The monte dealer thrust his pile OF
banknotes toward the old man. lie
displayed no emotion, but the feck OF
color In his cheeks burned brighter
than before.
Excuse me minute, gents" he re-
marked In his cold tones. II must git
some more none, { go on with" With
that he left the room by a back door.
Old Ike put away the $1,000 without
undue haste. chuckling softly. This
done. he pulled he bowie knife from
the table. AS the blade left the wood
the card was loosened and fell on the
table face up. 1t was the ten OF clubs.
A gasp Of amaIement went up from
the crowd. The three cards now lay
plainly revealed to all-the ten OF
spades, the ten VI clubs and-the ten
Of clubsl
A chorus OF exclamations broke forth
The old man locked at the excited
crowd and waved his hand for 81.
lence.
"where's tn jack o. dimonds?" he
repeated contemptuously in answer TO
the burden OF the cries. "Why. Rail-
road Jim sleeved tn Jack reg'ler lie
never let II on Il tn table when they
was any money wuth while. Kept
xAos otbor to,, ~ oi,,h. .,,t an .f,.I4 ~.