The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-04


him to lay on, and sometimes went so
far as to bar him from the game.
Many a chap who has quit in the
morning wondering where to get a
stake has received friendly tip and
. cash contribution from the pro-
prietor OF Washington gambling
house. No consideration. however,
was shown the delinquent who delib-
,rately sought to avoid settlement.
Can Sometimes Collect.
There is. OF course, no law by
which to enforce gambling debt. but
this is no indication that gambling
debt can't be collected. Many and
devious are the ways OF getting the
coin under such circumstances.
II know. because helped to get It.
! remember one instance with particu-
lar satisfaction. AT that time l had
part interest in small establish
ment not many miles from Twelfth
street and Pennsylvania avenue.
I'VE catered only to the select
classes, but 1t wasn't always possible
10 bar the undesirables. Among this
fraternity was a fellow who claimed
. be western mine owner. He was
'troduced by one OF our regulars,
nd on first acquaintance seemed a
iikable chap. For couple of weeks
I this boy dropped In every night. He
early gave evidence OF knowing the
game, and at the end of that time was
about $1,000 to the good.
Cashed Checks for $1,000.
"I was not long in noticing that he
! was one OF the kind that believed in an
early getaway. In an open game a
man. Of course. is privileged to quit
when he pleases. and there were
usually others to take his seat. 1t
happened on a Sunday morning after
particularly busy night, with five
games running, that observed about
4 o'clock that he was still in the game.
When 1t ended he was $1,000 out. and
asked to be allowed to give a check.
As he seemed TO be well supplied
with funds and had won nearly that
amount, l accepted 1t. A day or so
later it was returned. He had gone
to the bank one minute after 1t had
opened on Monday and withdrew his
deposit.
1.-THE question was now to get the
money. Inquiries at his hotel ELECTED
the information that he had left town.
Three months later l walked into an
avenue barroom to f1nd him leaning
against the mahogany with big drink
Of whiskey In front OF him. He had the
nerve to ask me to Join him and ac-
cepted. Then, as automatically as
possible, approached the subject Of
the check.
Had a Narrowing Tale.
II have heard crying stories in my
time, but the one this boy unreeled
was the limit. Everything had gone
wrong. His mining ventures had
played out, the market had gone
against him and he was fiat broke.
Some day, perhaps, when his affairs
were rounded into shape he would
take care Of that little obligation,
but Just now it was out OF the ques-
ton.
"What was the use? l decided to
place that $1,000 to the wrong side of
the ledger. Had I been convinced his
story had a vestige Of truth in 1t I
would have accepted the loss philo-
sophically, but knew he was lying.
He had simply made up his mind to
keep the $1,000 he had won, and let
us whistle for the $1,000 he had lost.
"That night told tho story to my
partner.
"Have you got the check% he in
quired.
81 handed it to him.
Leave this with me for week or
so,' he said. 90
"a month later he handed me $500.
The Check Was Good.
whats this%rI inquired.
"'Thats your part OF that bum
check we made good" was the answer.
4 got the money. and you're due to
find out now in about fifteen minutes.
AT that moment the door opened,
and in walked the welcher. He was in
a perturbed and indignant frame OF
mind. '''f ~"
"I've Just been around to my bank,
and they tell me you've cashed a 1900
check Of mine he exclaimed.
Tho statement cannot be denied,
said my partner.
"'But / saw you tear 1t up" STAN
mered the welcher. You've committed
forgery. I'll have you arrested. I'll
have the police on you tonight unless
you make good. Ill.,, f s
-" Just minute my partner inter.
rupted. The check deposited in your
bank today bears your signature. The
ono I tore Up was a forgery. You
will remember 7 left the remnants .oI
1t with you In ordersto assure you
There was no deception. Now. got