He Picked

1895

"It's funny how they do it, isn't it?" he said to a policeman whom he met on Jefferson avenue as he came up from the depot.

"How they do what?" asked the officer.

"Why, on the train a man had three playing cards, and he tossed them around so, and so, and so, and then asked me to pick out the ace of clubs."

"And of course you did it?"

"Of course. Just reached right over and picked it out the first time. Then he tossed them about again and said he'd bet I couldn't pick out the same card."

"And you bet him?"

"Oh, yes — bet him $20 even up."

"And you reached over and — and — and" —

"Yes, I reached over and picked up the queen of hearts. I thought it was the ace of clubs, you know, but it wasn't."

"And you want the swindler arrested? Where is he?"

"Oh, no, no, no! No; I don't want anybody arrested. Besides he got off at Dearborn."

"Well, what do you want?" demanded the officer.

"Oh, nothing — nothing 'tall, except to ask you if it isn't funny how they do it and warn you not to bet on the game. It biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. So long, old boy — don't try it!" — Detroit Free Press.