Judsonia weekly advance. (Judsonia, Ark.) 1???-1922, 1919-11-20

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| get JOB for him, too. pulin' light
wagon or somethin'"
The resolution to "play fair" with
Slop-eye gradually restored his cheer
fulness and he walked slowly back TO
the hotel.
The mems sitting room now present
ed much more animated picture than
when he had registered earlier in the
evening. 1t was filled with ranchers,
cowboys and cattlemen of all de-
grees-breeders, buyers, traders, own
ers and wage earners, with a sprin-
king of townspeope and others not
directly engaged in some phase of the
cattle business. Soon he was in a
group watching gaudily dressed in
dividual doing a sort of sleight of
hand trick with three cards on
table.
Smooth guy, that" said someone at
his side. The remark was evidently
intended for Dave. and he turned
toward the speaker. He was a man
somewhat smaller than Dave, two or
three years older. well dressed in
town clothes. with rather puffy face
and gold-flled tooth from which q
corner had been broken as though to
accommodate the cigarette which
hung there.
YES" said Dave. Then, as it was
apparent the stranger was inclined to
be friendly, he continued, whats the
idea?"
The stranger nudged him gently
Come out of The bunch,' he said in
low voice. When they had moved a
little apart he went on, in confiden-
tial tone: 'He has a little trick with
three cards that brings him in the
easy coin. He's smooth as grease, bur
the things simple. Oh, it's awful
simple! Now you watch him for a
minute" and they watched through
an opening in the crowd about the
| table. The player held three cards
two red ones and a black. He passed
them about rapidly over the table, oc-
casionally turning his hand sideways
so that the onlookers could see the
position of the cards Then he sud-
! iNhiy iiiiSW tilCiH 1dSc uO0H oi
table, each card by itself
"The trick is to locate The black
card" Dawes companion explained
ITS easy enough if you keep your
eye on the card but the trouble with
these rubes is they name the card and
then start to get out their money, and
while they're funbling for it he
makes a change so quick they never
see it. There's just one way to beat
him. Get up close, but don't say
you're getting interested. Then when
you're dead sure of card crack your
to it and get out your money with the
other hand. When he sees you do that
he'll try to bluff you. say you amt
in on it; but you just tell him that
don't go, this is an open game, and
he's got to come through, and the
crowdll back you up. l stuck him
once-a whole hundred first crack
and then he barred me. Watch him."
Dave watched. Saw the black card
go down at one corner of the board !;
saw bystander fumbling for five
dollar bill; saw The bill laid on the
card; saw it turned up-and it was
red
That is smooth" he said. "Fd "a
sworn that was the black card"
$50 it was-when you saw it." his
companion. explained. But you We're
just like the sucker that played him.
You couldn't help glanclng at the jay
getting out his money, and it was in
that instant the trick was done. He's
too quick for the eye, but that's how
he does it,
Dave became interested. He saw
two or three others lose lives and tens
1t was plain his companions tip was
straight. There was just one way to
beat this game, but 1t was simple
enough when you knew how. He
sidled close to the table, making great
pretense of Indifference. but watching
the-cards closely with his keen black
eyes. The dealer showed his hand.
made a few quick passes, and the
black card few out to the right. This
was Dawes chance. He bounced on
| it 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 at his own game.
you amt playin'," said the dealer.
you amt in on this"
'That don't co." said Dave very
quietly. You're playin' a public game
here, an l chose to play with you this
once. Sixty dollars on this card" He
was fumbling his money on the table.
"You amt playin,' repeated the
dealer. You're a butt-in. You amt