The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-02-25
play cards? You play cards sometimes
lon't VIM"

The gambling table.
During five years following this cpl
ne the country round about the set
Lrr's cabin was filling up, but with
bat rough element which seeks new
oantrles Silver was what attracted
he crowd. and many were growing
rich from the mines. Scarborough, the
settler. was In a position to avail him
self Of opportunities; but, being sub
ject 10 passion for gambling, when
ever he got good thing he gambled it
away. In vain his wife pleaded with
him to keep away from the gaming
tables. 1t is singular how credulous
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 a serious char
acter, for she lived In a country where
she saw a great deal to indicate to
her that the world Is not bed Of
roses. Then, too, she experienced
trouble at home. Her father was a
bright man, but they say death loves
find a person with superior intellect
who is not handicapped by some glar-
Ing defect Just as soon as Scar.
borough made q deal by which he
pocketed handsome profit he would go
to gambling den and lose it, and that.
too. TO men who were his interiors.
One evening Scarborough. who had
just sold piece of property for $4,000.
was being relieved Of 1t by a gang OF
sharpers. While he was playing q
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 atten-
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.
1--WE lost 1t already, but I'll get 1t
back again. and more too"
"Oh, fatherT'
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 Der intently. He heard
what she said to her father. and when
he refused to so away with her the
clergyman went over 10 the table
where her father was playing and
looked over the game.
Gents" he said presently. would
you mind a man Of the church taking
a hand In this gamer
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 at the table, except Scar
borough. were all card sharps and
thought what fine thing It would be
to fleece a parson. He was admitted to
the game with a welcome and. taking
500 from his wallet. invested the
amount in chips.
Never at that board had such hands
been held as by the parson. II the best
hand against him was full Of mines
he held full Of tens. When he dealt
the cards It seemed 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 a 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 60 on for
hard money"
Since he was winner, there could he
no objection to this. and the game pro-
ceeded on money basis. When the
parsOn had won more than $4,000 he
suggested Jack pot. The betting was
opened with 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
here?''
''Thirty-two hundred dollars"
The parson counted ont the amount.
pushed 1t toward him. deducted the
hundred dollars he had begun the
game with and left the balance on the
table
You're fine parson. you are" said
the man who had lost the Jackpot
"Who are you. anyway"
I'm Jim Gay. who used to be known
In these parts for the slickest card
shifter Of all professionals.
zone day, when a posse was after
me, I got into the cabin where this
man and this girl were Twin. The girl
was a child then, but against her moth.