The Tomahawk., 1925-01-22

position it occupied when the fat man
had discovered it. That person
chuckled continually as he watched the
door for the expected arrival Of Eel
ton, and his excitement married the
brilliancy of his conversation.
1t wasn't long wait. Chicago Fred
came bustling back inside of ten min
utes, and he stepped swiftly across the
room and grasped his cane.
"I'm lucky" he cried, turning to his
late companions. * was afraid you
three might have left the cafe and
thus given a person of loose morals a
chance to annex my cane"
rs 1t worth annexing" asked the
fat man quietly.
Chicago Fred turned and stared at
the questioner.
1T might not look 1t to you," he said
coldly, "but I'll wager trifle that any
sane man in the cafe will give me ten
dollars for it."
The fat man passed a quick wink to
the two young men as he reached out
his hand for the cane. After examin-
Ing 1t carefully he handed it back and,
with cool insolence, remarked: Its
worth seventy cents at the outside"
Mr.. Fred Felton, became violently
excited. He pulled roll from his
pocket and started to peel Off bills
with nervous fingers. The taunt
stirred him.
"Tll bet you century, he cried,
angrily.
What about" asked the fat man.
I'LL bet that the stick Is worth ten
dollars to any one in the room,"
screamed the owner.
The fat man gave a slight whistle to
signify his surprise at the others heat,
and again passed quick wink to the
two sitting opposite. The wink carried
the hint that there were many good
dollars belonging to Mr.. FELTON, that
might be gathered in by an enterpris.
Ing person.
81 have only fifty dollars with me"
drawled the fat man, but If one of
our friends chips in for another fifty
We'll cover your hundred and bet that
the stick is not worth ten dollars, I'm
hanged if we don't"
Mr.. Frederick FELTON, and his fat pal
received surprise when they saw the
eagerness with which the elder Of the
two Pittsburghers jumped at the sug-
gestion. The firm of FELTON, & Co.
generally experienced a little trouble
at this point, and inwardly they voted
the other the greenest Of suckers as
he placed five ten-dOllar bills on the
pile.
I'm in" he laughed, carelessly. "I'm
betting just for the fun Of the thing.
Now, sir, will you kindly find the jay
in this room who will give ten dollars
for the stick"
With nervous smile on his face,
Mr.. Frederick FELTON, advanced to the
table and unscrewed the knob Of the
stick. The three watched him keenly.
FELTON, gave little start Of simu-
lated establishment when he found the
receptacle empty, and a smile started
to ripple the fat features Of the man
cago Fred was not dismayed. He had
looked into that empty receptacle on
many occasions when the circum,
stances were precisely similar, and yet
his confidence had not deserted him.
With an airy flourish he turned the
stick in his hand and, unscrewing the
ferrule end, shook the cane over the
table.
Nothing fell out of 1t. Chicago
Fred paled slightly and shook the stick
fiercely. When he turned the cane to
look into the opening, the elder Of the
two Pittsburghers reached out and put
a big hand on the pile of notes.
"There's nothing in that end either"
he laughed as FELTON, looked into the
empty hole. "While your fat partner
was waiting for your return to play us
for a brace of suckers l managed to
get that other. ten-dollar piece out of
the bottom end, so I've spiked your
gun. I've seen the trick before, see"
Chicago Fred glared angriy at the
three, while the fat mans profanity
was seriously interfered with by the
establishment brought about by tho
turning Of the tables.
"Here! I" cried the Pittsburgher, jerk
ing two ten-dollar gold pieces towards
the owner of the cane. Here's the two
coins your pal and took out of the
stick. Now, I'll give our fat friend his
own fifty back, but I'm keeping the CEN
fury that you plunked because you
were so sure of that coin being in the
bottom of the cane. If you object III
call a cop. Skidoo! Next time you
have q sucker on the line, watch the
stick"
When Chicago Fred turned the first
corner, he stopped five minutes to
curse the intelligence Of his fat part
ner who had allowed a "come on" to
take a cool century from the smartest
bunco man in Manhattan. And the fat
man could not reply because he had
not recovered from the shock.