The Washington times., 1922-04-09
~Ws drope up to the 9

only livery stable tax collector, chairman Of the
seectmen and agent for the bestselling automobile Be-
sides tLs he money lender stiff but carefully
drawn mortgages and thus in way another through
the mortgages had into possession Of many valuable
farms in the surrounding country.
Next morning, therefore, found something about
gambling and racing in the local Miami newspaper and
took this as my text feel Mrs Huribur discover
If her sanctimonous husband had been telling her all
about my husband little scheme and her ideas git
wicked and brsinless as well," ended up my re.
marks. 81 would rather my husband in his grave
than have him making money by gambling"
''0f course, you right Mrs. Hurburt admitted
slowly and without much heart in the words she
terng and continued "Stll understand the srgu-
for it, You see my dear down here there
who getting information about the
wire before the telegraph people give out They
this information to place their money the horse that
has just So 1t is perfectly safe. >.
"we, but that doesn't make any difference re
piled with righteous indignation. Even the gambler
is sure OF winning 1t is just wicked to gamble have
always felt that husband should gamble would
be glad see him lose his money. would him
to wn because would encourage him to continue to do
wrong"
But Mrs Hurlburt was not able to follow me into such
depths Of moral reasoning Gambling she freely admit
ted wrong-but where the gambler had sure thing,
that he could not possibly lose WELL then, perhaps it
n the case of these people who have advance infor.
nation Mrs. Hwlburt finally said 'you see, it is not
quite bad because they cheating gamblers Of
their winnings. don't think ii is quite bad to rob
thief as 1t is TO rob honest person"
was much amused inwardy at the line of reasoning
by which this old hypocrte beating the devil around
the stump, and the arguments she and her sinnt hus
band had been advancing each other to smooth out
their wrinked conscences This allowed them to arrive
at the charming conclusion that to rob gambler was
all right-provided you were in on sure thing where
you could not lose.
When l reported back to Humphreys our converss.
on both perfectly sure that the Hurlburts had
hreshed out the whole situation between them and that
Hiram ripe to be "plucked
My companion and went the situation carefully
and satisfied ourselves that had established
necessary point:
l. That the Hurlburts convinced that there was
such thing sure thing way of getting advance in
formation on the races.
O. That the Hurlburts believed Mr. Holmes work
ing this scheme secretly and in deadly fear lest his
find it out
g. That they thought both highly respectable,
very religious people, but that Mr. Holmes" had COM
mon sense while minded to realize that
the Lord would not expect to neglect such golden
opportunity.
That Hiram Hurlburt and his wife, pillars of the
church and leading citizens would have scrpe In bet
ting big any sure thing gambling proposition
which could be shown TO them to be sure thing
These four preliminary essentials being firmly estab.
shed in the minds OF victims IL then remained only
to arrange the final details of separating Mr. Hurburt
from as much money concluded IL reasonable
to be expected he would put up That part Of was Mr.
Humphreyess speciality
So Humphreys with much mystery, led Hurlburt