The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1916-07-29

don't you?"
no response was made to the qnes-
ton. The fathers bcsettins sin was
the gambling tnblc.
During five years following this cpl
sode the country round about the set
tiers cabin was filling up. but with
that rough element which seeks new
countries. Silver was what attracted
the crowd. and many were srowin'
rich from the mines. Scarborough. ths
settler. was in n position to avail him
self of opportunities; but, bcin. sub
ject to IL passion for gambling. when
ever he got good thing he sumbc1 !!
away. In vain his wife pleaded with
him to keep away from the gaming
tables. 1t is singular how crcdnlous
are those who are afflicted with this
passion. And yet is not the passion so
strong that they are swept AWAY by 1t.
knowing that the chances are all
against them?
Meanwhile the little girl who had
saved the card sharp was growing to
be woman. She was serious char
nctcr. for she lived In country where
she saw great deal to indicate to
her that the world is not n bed Of
roses. Then, too. she experienced
trouble Mt home. Her father was II
bright man. but they say death loves
II shining mark" and 1t is hard to
find person with superior intellect
who is not handicapped by some glar-
ina daft ytlS.f 10 Hn p
borough made n deal by which he
pocketed u handsome profit he would go
to gambling den and lose 1t. and that.
too, to men who were his interiors.
One evening Scarborough. who had
just sold n piece of property for $4,000.
was being relieved Of 1t by gang of
sharpcrs. While he was playing Il
young man of clerical cut and wearing
white cravat entered the den and.
taking position in the center of the
room. began to speak against the gam
bling passion. The proprietor looked
at him as though uncertain whether to
stop him or let him proceed Seeing
that no one In the room paid any ntten-
ton to the speaker, he chose the latter
course.
While the young clergyman was in
Weighing against the sin of gambling
girl of seventeen entered and, moving
straight to Scarborough. put her arms
about his neck and begged him to come
away.
Mother says that you will lose all
the money received for the sale of the
property" she pleaded.
give lost 1t already but I'll get 1t
back again. and more too
.Oh, father"
Just you go home and tell your
mother not to worry. I'll come out all
right"
When the girl entered the gambling
house the clergyman ceased his re-
marks on the sin of gambling and fixed
his eyes upon her intently. He heard
what she said to her father. and when
he refused to go away with her the
clergyman went over to the table
where her father WIS playing and
looked over the game.
Gents" he said presently. would
you mind man of the church taking
a hand In this game?'
There was burst of laughter and
much chatting of the clergyman Mt hav-
ing preached against gambling and
then going back on all he had said.
But the men Mt the table. except Scar
borough. were all card sharps and
thought what fine thing 1t would be
to fleece parson. He was admitted to
the game with welcome and, taking
800 from his wallet. invested the
amount IN chips.
Never at that board had such hands
been held as by the parson. If the best
hand against him was full OF mines
he held full of tens. When he dealt
the cards 1t seemeA that he was en-
abled to give the others such hands as
would draw them out. and he always
topped them. The chips all came his
way. and before long he had pile be-
fore him that filed the others with
envy. Then he said:
Gents. no more playin' for chips.
Cash these and let the game go on for
hard money"
Since he was winner. there could be
no objection to this. and the game pro-
ceeded on a money basis. When the
parson had won more than $500 he
suggested jack pot. The betting was
opened with IA pair of queens. The par
son bet so high that he drove all the
rest out except one man. When he
was called and showed his hand he
was found to hold four kings and an
ace. He won $500 on that hand alone.
Turning to Scarborough. he said:
How much money did you bring in
hcre?"
"Thirty-two hundred dollars
The parson counted out the amount.
pushed it toward him. deducted the
hundred dollars he had begun the
game with and left the balance on the
table.
you're a fine parson. you are" said
the man who had lost the jackpot
HNhn ar