The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-09-16

liard-room door Il struggling mass
Of a dozen natives totally ohlivious
in their excitement Of the fact that
they were in the presence OF white
men. All billiard playing stopped
at once and the players stood In
surprise watching The melee.
Suddenly one Of the police ser
gnants stepped forward.
"Ch,Ip rao!" he roared. which is a
command for silence.
Instantly the struggling ceased
ana the vituporation subsidized while
tho excited natives fell back before
the white exponent Of English law.
From out their midst was revealed
an old man who seemed TO have
been their victim and the cause Of
all the trouble.
"What's all this tamnsha?" de-
manded the police sergeant.
MASTER" whined A Singalese rick
shaw cnolie, this very bad man. He
not pay for rickshaW."
"Rurra sahib." cOuntered the old
native and with Hindu cunning try
ING 10 fatter the police sergeant by
calling him n great sahih." ] give
! half-rupee for rickshaw from ba-
2aar Not worth more; not got rub
her tires
Who are YOU" questioned the
sergeant
"Burra sahih," said the old man.
II am Mahmat Gungu. the fortune
teller For seven wears live and
not speak in Himalayas and live on
nuts and roots. talk 10 animals
and know past. present and future. -
Il know him. whispered Smith to
Higgins. ''He was in Handy last
month. He is vnry good
Stake your thousand rupees on
him" asked Higgins
Even money!" falterinsly from
Smith
Even money"
"Gh-huh." said Smith. "ou're on
Smith stepped forward and inter
rupted the police sergeant, who was
commencing to question the rick
shaw coolie
officer" he said. " this is Just a
slight misunderstanding among the
natives. and I think can settle it,
He threw a handful OF small
change into the hall and the natives
rushed wildly 10 pick It up.
Meanwhile my friend wants his
fortune told IL Mahmat Gungu will
oblige."
Excellence" said Mahmat Gum
gu. II am your servant.
The police sergeant smiled and
went back 10 his game while Smith
led the old native fortune-teller
away.
At one side NJ the billiard room
was an empty bench and upon this
Higgins and Smith sat while the
fortune teller squatted on the floor
| at their feet. He was A frail old
figure. the fortune teller. in his
| himsv clothes which were little bet
ter than a bundle Of rags. Higgins
| looked down eontemptuously and
seemed ~ feel the contrast made by
his vell-fed bulk.
Several men stopped playing and
gathered in rear Of the fortune teller
at a little distance. Some one had
overheard the thousand rupee wager
and the decision Of such a wage is
, interesting.
Want to see the bet decided"
asked Higgins and seeming To like
an audience. he beckoned with his
hand.
Gather around. gentlemen. have
bet nv friend a thousand rupees
that fortune teller doesn't know n
thing about my past or future and
little about my present
The old fortune teller looked W
with cunning eyes at Higgins.
"Sahlb forty-six years old" he
said.
correct" continued Higgins. but
lots ~ people are good on ages
That proves nothing"
"Sahih not love women" went on
tho native. Women love sabih for
money"
Higgins merclv smiled.
"sah!h give something to hold In
| hand ="
Higgins looked puzzled.
"Hc maarus something that YOU
carry about with YOU" internosed
smith, something that he can psv-
chometri1e. Your cane will d."
Higgins. very condescendingly,
handed down his handkerchief
Too fresh from wash" said the
native. "nhohi wallah take truth
from handkerchief With soap and
water. Sahih give cane"
Higgins looked slightly annoyed.
but took back the handkerchief and
'cndered n gold cigarette case.
Mahmat Gunsu appeared satisfied
with the ciCaret case. which he
placed against his forehead and re-
manned mctinnless for a short time
with his eyes closed. Meanwhile
more and more players had given
m their samc as the news Of the
| bin bet had spread. They formed n
massed semi circle in front OF the
bench.
IT see sahIh's body" hogan the
native In Il ruavering voice. very
white. fresh like flower. One mole
Behind hack-think under left shout
| der, Sahib scratch mole every
night. every morning.
There was a slight litter from the
spectators. hut Higgins was silent
tand his face mask like-a good
| poker face.
'Sahih sick very furny.' contin-
ued Mahmat GungM taking the ci-
yaret case from his forehead and
PRESSING it aEinst his breast. Some
! times sick sometimes we'll. Sahib
never see doctor about leg"
"AN rubbish" exclaimed Higgins
| IN disgustod tone. ANY Use con-