Cleveland County herald., 1920-03-11

week. If not. you'll still contrive tG scrape along on two hundred"
 The poker game that night took place in a South side hotel. It was Six-handed game, the players being of the class commonly known as men about town" Two were professional gamblers, another was wheat pit speculator, fourth was a wealthy sa- loon owner. The remaining two were Fitzhugh and Quigg. Playing com menced shortly after eight. Compared to subsequent betting, it was modest at first, a five-dollar limit having been imposed About nine. however, the limit was removed, and the game be- gan to warm up. Another hour, and it had reached the point where five-and siX-hundred-dolla pots were the rule and not the exception.
 The Golden Goddess, Luck, smiled upon Fitzhugh from the very start. Perhaps it was his superior playing that won her favor. Anyhow, he as- tonished his coadjutor by his skill at the game. He was hundred differ ent men. His fellow players never knew how to take him-never knew what he would do next And while they were wondering he continued to take their money from them as though it were only matter of course that he should.
 But as Fitzhugh steadily won Quigg as steadily lost. When the game ended at nine a. m. it was noticeable that of the five men sitting around the pad ded table beneath the pail of tobacco smoke and the green-shaded electric lights Fitzhugh was the only one who showed no ill sign of the thirteen hours steady playing. He seemed as fresh as when he started and appar- ently was quite fit for another thir- teen-hour session. When he "cashed in" he was winner to the extent of some eighteen thousand dollars. The professional gamblers had won a few thousands each. The rest had lost.
 Quigg, who had left the game, was not to be found in the hotel rotunda. While Fitzhugh was walking about looking for him the wheat pit speeula- tor, a joyial, red-faced man named Henry Hunt. clapped him heartily on the shoulder and wrung his hand.
 "Old man, I'd give a million if could bluff like you. Where did you learn hoWW
 Tt comes naturally" smiled Fitz- hugh.
 Hunt glanced around and lowered his voice. "Fitzhugh, Pm putting through today one of the biggest wheat deals I've ever handled, and I'd like to let you in on it. What time can see you, and where?'
 Any time at any place"
 Meet me at Burton x Burton's, then-brokers, you know, Board of Trade-at eleven sharp. Don't fail. It's a big thing So long. Must hurry
 Upon certain of the casual acquaint- ances he had made in La Sale street Fitzhugh had taken pains to create the impression of being the scion of highly respected family unknown to the newspaper columns but possessed of wealth. Hunt was one of those thus deluded. Others he had impressed in different wise. But every man who met him believed him to be person of means. It was an emphatic point with him to see to that.
 In a secluded corner and a low tone Hunt explained his project very con cisely.
 September wheat" said he, "opened at ninety-eight and quarter this morning. A gang of bulls have inflated it till she's like soap bubble-ready to burst any moment. A gigantic bear raid is coming off here tomorrow that will send September wheat down like that"-throwing a cigar end to the floor. "These bears," he went on, kicking the cigar aside, "have got mil lions behind 'em, and they're going to claw the entrails out of those bulls. They won't stop clawing as long as there's live bull left. They're going to sell-sell-sell. It'll be the biggest smash you ever heard of. And the man who's heading this big bear raid is none other than Symington Otis-'
 "OtiS?"
 "As you know, of course, Otis has always been one of the greatest bulls in Chicago. Has that reputation. But all of sudden he's gone over to the other side. l found it out last night. Only handful besides myself know it. It seems he's got it In for fellow who was associated with him in bull charge few months ago. and he's going the smash that fellow if it takes the last cent he's got. That's Otis all over. Once you get in bad with him you might as well jump in the lake"
 "So was once given to under stand" said Fitzhugh quietly.
 You see where we come in, of course. I'm only an outsider myself but you! Lord, what pile you can make!"