The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-12-04

black card Few out 10 tne right. This
was Dawes chance. He pounced on
II with his left hand. while his other
plunged Into his pocket
"Sixty dollars on this one" he cried
and there was the triumphant note In
his voice OF the man who knows he
has beaten the other NJ his own game.
"You amt playin'." said the denIer
you amt In on this"
"That don't co." said Dave very
quietly. you're playin' a public game
here, an chose to play with you this
snce. Sixty dollars on this card" He
was fumblIng his money on the table
"You amt playin'." repeated the
dealer. "YoL're a butt-in. You amt
In this game AT ALL"
"Sure he's in." said the crowd.
THAT amt right" whined the
dealer. "but you got 1t ON me. Turn
'er up"
The card was red.
Dave looked at II stupidity. II was
q moment or two before he realized
that his money was gone. Then. re-
gsrdless Of those about. he rushed
through the crowd, fiiDging bystand-
ers right and left. and plunged into
the night
He walked down q street until II
lost itself on the prairie; then he fol-
lowed a prairie trail far into the coun-
try. The air was cold and few drops
Of rain were falling In II. but he was
unconscious OF the weather He was
In a rage through and through. Stop
eve was now dream. memory,
gone--gone. Everything was gone !;
only his revolver and few cents re-
NAMED. He gripped the revolver
again. With that he was supreme. No
man In all that town OF men schooIed
In the ways OF the West was more
then his equal while that grip lay
In his palm. At the point Of that
muzzle he could demand his money
back-and get II.
Then he laughed. Hollow ana
empty II sounded In the night air, but
II was a laugh. and II saved his spirit.
"Why, you fool" he chuckled. you
came 10 town for 10 learn somethln'.
didn't your Well. you're learnin'.
Sixty dollars throw. Education
comes high. don't III But you
shouldn't kick. He didn't coax you
In. an gave you every chance to back
away. You butted In and got stung.
Perhaps you've learned somethin'
worth sixty doll RS"
In his innocence OF the ways OF the
game u never occurred to him that the
friendly stranger who had showed him
bow TO play II was a friend OF the
sharper. and probably AT this moment
they were dividing his sixty dollars
the price OF old Slop-eye-between
them
Early next morning he was awake
and astir. The recollection OF his loss
sent sudden pang through his morn
ing spirits. but he tried TO close his
mind to II.
mo use worryin' over that" he said,
juggling the few coins that now rep
resented his wealth. That's over and
gone traded sixty dollars for my
first lesson. Maybe II was bad trade.
bu, anyway aln't goin to squeal."
lie whistled as he finished dressing.
ate his breakfast cheerfnlly. and set
out in search Of employment.
Almost the first person he met was
the stranger who had sehooled him In
the gambling game the night before.
There was something attractive about
his personality; something which in
vited friendship and even confidence.
and yet beneath these emotions Dave
felt a sense Of distrust as though part
Of his nature rebelled against the ac-
quainianceship.
That was the rottenest luck you
had last night" the stranger was say
ing. II never saw the beat OF II.
was hopin' you'd stay and raise him
next time; you might have got your
money back that way"
"Oh. ] don't mind the money!" said
Dave. cheerfully. II don't want Il
back. In fnct, figure II was pretty
well spent"
Lots more where II came from.
eh?" laughed the other. you're from
the ranches, ! see, and | suppose the
price of "A steer or two doesn't worry
you a hairs worth"
Prom Is right" Dave replied. I'm
from them. an I amt goln' back. As
for honeywell. | spent my last nickel
for breakfast so I've got TO line up
job before noon"
The stranger extended his hand.
"Shake" he said 81 like vou You're