The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-03-05
STEEPLEJACKS FLIRT
WITH DEATH DAILY

real business on hand 10 waste time
trying to run down friendly poker
games. II he played in Il regular
gambling house. 1t would be different,
but in the home OF friend there was
no chance. That was his argument.
and 1t seemed good one. for no had
been getting away With this little polk
CT stunt regularly for more than a
year.
ION the night OF his reformation he
kissed his wife goodbye. told hor TO
look for him when he came In, and
hurried 10 the scene OF festivities. lie
wanted to be on hand carly so rs TO
be sure OF scat.
Soon lie Is to the Good.
1.-THE game was In progress when he
arrived, but ms there were only six
contestants. he was not disappointed.
A few rounds Of the cards indicated
that 1t was his lucky night. The limit
was only 81, hut in an hour he had
won 500 md was certainly enjoying
himself lie held no phenomenal
hands, but his two pair were standing
up, and when this is the case 1t gen
orally means that the holder will bring
home the bacon. At half past II he
was $35 to the good and wRs think
ing about home and how to arrived
there without mourning the enmity Of
the losers. Suddenly the telephone
bell rang.
Maybe it's Tom Inquiring II there's
a chance to get in. said the host. as
he arose to answer the call.
" Tell him he can have my seat.
said III. lad. Pm about to quit
Raid ON the Apartment.
1.-The host. with his ear to the re-
cciver. turned and swept a startled
glance over the room.
'YoV'e got nothing on the rest OF
U.S. he said. It's the janitor. Grab
those cards and chips, throw 'em in
the closet and beat 1t for the fire es-
cape. Go up on the roof; there's Il
cop at tho door and two Of 'cm on
their way upstairs.
in moment that quiet, peaceful
poker game was transformed, as the
noyelists say, into a scene Of widest
confusion. The cards and chips were
gathered in heap. tossed in closet.
the door locked and inside of a min
rte the players were making their
way to the top OF the building. The
last man out turned out the lights.
"0n reaching tho roof they settled
down In II state OF terror, expecting
caGn mument=tO see the head Of a po-
liceHan appear above the fire escape.
The minutes heightened into hours,
but no one was willing TO take n
chance on returning to the room.
Stories of prominent citizens arrest
cd in poker raid fioated their vision.
Feared Effect on Family.
They discussed the probable effect
the raid would have on their business
There appeared to be no
doubt in the minds of any as to its
effect upon family relations.
Dawn found them still debating.
AS the sun arose it became evident
that something must be done. The
spectacle Of seven mon clustered on Il
roof, 1t was suggested. might arouse
suspicion in the minds OF early church.
goers. Finally the man In whose
apartment they had heen playing de-
cided to make the venture. Slowly
and carefully he descended the fire
escape and disappeared. A moment
later he appeared at the window and
gave the signal TO follow. They found
the room just as they had left it, Evil
IDENTIFY the cops had overlooked tho
closet In which lay the chips anil
cards. There were no evidences of a
search.
"Singly the men departed in order
not to arouse suspicion in the minds
of the occupants Of the apartment. My
friend arrived home about $3.50 to find
WHEY awake.
Just a minute he said. Before
your mind OF poker play
crs in general and me in particular
l am going to give you my solemn
assurance that am off poker for ono
year from date Don't ask me why.
Show and Supper Afterwari.
"'Just content yourself with tho
thought that I'm through. Next Satur-
day night we go to show and have
supper afterwards.
"'Do YOU mean it?' she asked.
"'1t's absolutely on the level he
answered. She accepted the statement
without another word.
Strange. he thought. I wonder
why she's not more curious for details
However. as haven't been pinched
and still have my happy home. should
worry. A day or so following he met
his host.
I've been looking for YOU said his
friend. Come around Saturday night.
EverythIng's all right.
"'Not with the thought Of that three
hours soiourn on your roof in my
memory was the answer. L consider
myself lucky not to have my picture
in the paper. The janitor may not be
on the Job next time
1.-The janltor's fired. After you fell
lows left l began 10 make some in.
quiries. The janitor got twisted in his
statements and finally owned up that
there hadn't been any policemen and
no attempts at a raid. Said somebody
slipped him five-spet to throw a scare
into us Just for Joke but wouldn't
come across with the name.
"'1f there's anything comical in the
spectacle Of seven men roosting on a
roof / fail to see it. Who do you
reckon could have pulled trick like
that?' Ny friend offered no conjec,
lures. He has his suspicious. but &c
date has not confded them to wiley.
+ + = = *++++*++ 4
+ An OLD STANDBY. /.
= our own Alum: !