may be so regarded.

The Eminent Person, a Republican for Revenue Only, had been awarded
a remunerative Federal position as a tribute to his ambidextrous
versatility in the life strenuous, and his known prowess as a
"Stand-Patter."

Upon all these things Steve reflected. With caution, some caution,
and again caution, a goodly sum might well be abstracted from these
reckless and capricious persons; provided always that he had money on
the table to play a good hand for what it was worth.

For long his luck held good. Having increased his gains manyfold, he
was (being quite a natural person) naturally incensed that they were
not more. Yielding to his half-formed resolve, he dug up his herd
of cattle and put them on the table. "I am now prepared to grab old
Opportunity by the scalp-lock," he announced.

He played on with varying success. Presently, holding aces up, and
being persistently crosslifted by the Eminent One and the Judge, after
a one-card draw all around, he became obsessed with the fixed idea
that they were both bluffing and afraid to show down. When this
delusion was dispelled, he noted with chagrin that the spoils of Egypt
had departed, taking with them some plenty of real money.

That was the turning-point. By midnight he was hoarse with repeating,
parrot-wise, "That's good--give me another stack." His persistent
losses won him sympathy, even from these hardened plungers.

"Bad luck, old man--sure!" purred the consolatory Stockman, raking the