Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-09-28

poured back the gold from the palm
of his hand. Then he searched for d
moment in all his pockets and pro-
duced a most peculiar chunk of gold
metal. 1t was nearly as thick as it
was wide, shaped roughly into an oc-
tagon, and stamped with initials. This
he handed to me.
Its about Il fifty dollar slug" said
he; you ear get it weighed. Give me
the change next time you see me-"
But l may leave for the mines to-
morrow" l objected.
Then leave the change with Jim
Rocket Of the Ell Dorado"
"How do you know I'll leave it?' l
asked curiously.
II don't" replied McGlynn bluntly.
Put if you need $50 worse than you
do a decent conscience then John A.
McGlynn isn't the man to deny your
Johnny and l left for the hotel.
Il didn't know you expected any
mail" said 1.
81 don't"
But thought l saw you in line
"Oh, yes! When l saw the mail
sacks it struck me that there might be
quite a crowd; so l came up as quick
ly as l could and got in line. There
were a number before me, but I got a
place pretty well up in front. Sold the
place for So, and only had to stand
there about an hour at that"
Good head" | admired. I'D never
have thought of it. How have you got
ten on?'
Pretty rotten" confessed johnny.
Il tried all morning to find a decent
opportunity to do something or deal in
something, and then | got mad and
plunged in for odd jobs. I've been a
regular GRAND boy. made So carry
ing a mans bag up from the ship"
How much all told?"
"Iifteen. l suppose you've got your
pile"
That twenty-five you saw me get is
the size Of it,"
Johnny frightened. We moved up
closer in a new intimacy and sense of
c~omradeship over delinquency. 1t re-
lievcd both to feel that the other, too,
had failed. To enter the Plaza we had
to pass one of the larger Of the gam
bling places.
I'm going in here" said Johnny sud
denly.
He swung through the open doors,
and l followed him.
The place was comparatively desert
ed, owing probably to the distribution
of mail. We had full space to look
about us, and I was never more aston
ished in my life. The outside of the
building was rough and unfinished as
a barn, having nothing but size to at
tract or recommend. The interior was
the height of lavish luxury. \ polish
ed mahogany bar ran down one side,
backed by huge silt framed mirrors
before which were pyramided fine
glasses and bottles of liquor. The rest
Of the wall space was thickly hung
with more plate mirrors, dozens Of
we'll executed Oil paintings and strips
of tapestry. At one end was a small
raised stage OF which lolled a half doz-
en- darkies with banjos and tambou-
rines. The floor was covered with a
thick velvet carpet. Easy chairs, some
Of them leather upholstered, stood
about in every available II
The game was roulette. Johnny and
the dealer evidently recognized each
other, for a flash of the eye passed be-
tween them, but they gave no other
sign. Johnny studied the board a mo-
ment, then laid 500 in coin on one of
the numbers. The other players laid
out small bags of gold dust. The
wheel spun and the ball rolled. Two
If the men lost. Their dust was emp
tied into a drawer beneath the table
and the bags tossed back to them.
The third had o The dealer deftly
estimated the weight Of his bet, lifting
it in the fiat of his left hand, then
spun several gold pieces toward the
winner. He seemed quite satisfied.
The gambler stacked a roll Of twenty
dollar pieces, added one to them and
thrust them at Johnny. l had not re-
allied that the astounding luck Of win
ming off a single number had befallen
him.
"Ten to one-$22O" he muttered to
me.
The other three players were laying
their bets for the next turn Of the
wheel. Johnny swept the gold pieces
into his pocket and laid back the orig
inal stake against even. He lost.
Thereupon he promptly arose and left
the building.
l followed him to the hotel some
| ~ ,ot rvlnN-,iIx, f>. I VIVA ,o~x A.. 49,.
member of our party who had not
made good the agreed amount of tha