popular games, of what should be chance, but the chances, if they could be so- called, seemed to favour the gamblers and marked cards were not unusual. PROFESSIONAL GAMBLERS FLEECE CITIZENS Two gamblers, Ingram and Cobb, came from somewhere. The town looked good and easy and they remained for several years at least. Ingram was a quiet respectable looking man who had artistic ability and gave it rein by shading or otherwise marking playing cards. LOG CABIN W. N. McDermott and E. E. Peterson, Props. Tony Batten, Manager Dinners, Light Lunches, Teas Dine and Dance We Specialize in Steaks and Chops Banquets and Private Dinners catered to * GANGES British Columbia WHITE ELEPHANT CAFE * Where Good Appetities are Satisfied, and Poor Ones Developed * GANGES British Columbia WHEN IN GANGES SEE TAYLOR'S 5c and 10c VARIETY STORE GANGES British Columbia Soe ls J. CHANTELU, Proprietor WOOD DEALERS AND GENERAL HAULING Phone 10-Q GANGES British Columbia GANGES PHARMACY W. S. P. Alexander, Proprietor DRUGS, PRESCRIPTIONS, TOILETRIES, STATIONERY, Etc. * British Columbia GANGES Page Twenty Cobb was a nervy restless drinking man and whenever Ingram’s cards could, by hook or by crook, find their way into a game, Cobb was prosperous. Neither trusted the other but they teamed up together for mutual benefit. Ingram landed a job as bartender at the old Wellington Hotel. a few miles from Nanaimo and the rest was easy as Ingram substituted his cards for those in stock. Payday came, Cobb also dropped in and was soon engaged in a big “Black Jack” game. Ingram looked happy un- til, in the early hours, he missed Cobb and knowing his curves, he drove into Nanaimo and locating his partner at the Nanaimo Hotel asked for his share of the winnings. Cobb informed him that after getting to Nanaimo, he dropped into a game and was a big looser. He, however, gave Ingram $20. Ingram never batted an eyelash and called for the drinks and then for more and Cobb who was already partly well loaded, said he was sleepy and went over and laid on a bench in a quiet part of the barroom and went to sleep. Ingram pulled a bench up along- side and also laid down, but not to sleep. On going through Cobbs pockets, he found only some loose change. He then arose and went back to Wellington. Cobb, when he awakened, with a smile reached down in his trouser leg and brought up a big roll of bills. One summer evening a number of us railway men were seated outside the Occidental Hotel enjoying the coolness of the evening when a woman's cry of “murder” came from a gypsy encamp- ment a short distance away. We ran over and reached the spot just as O’Connell arrived. He threw back the flap of a large tent and found himself looking into the muzzle of a gun in the hands of a huge drunken gypsy. The gypsy shouted, “This tent is my castle; put one foot inside and I will blow your head off,” and it sounded as if he meant what he said. Tom hesitated but a moment and turning to us who were alongside him, quietly asked us to step to one side, and he could handle the big “gink’” alone. Then turning to the gypsy he coolly told him to put the gun down as it only meant trouble for him and that he was too big a coward to tackle any person but a poor woman. PoLicE CHIEF HANDLES W1IFrE-BEATER Then he said, “You big yellow stiff. You are twice as big as I am and I dare you to put down the gun and fight me.” The enraged gypsy threw the gun aside and made a spring at Tom. They both went down and first one and then the other was on top as Tom tried vainly to handcuff his opponent. Then they arose, both a little winded and Tom landed an accurate “upper cut’’ on the point of the gypsy’s chin. A vacant look came over his face. Then his knees gave w When his dream was over, he was hay cuffed and on his way to the “lock I forget if I ever knew what his sente; was, but I have never forgotten the ¢ tactful attitude of Tom as he looked i; the gun muzzle. Several years later O’Connell ) appointed Indian Constable of the Vz couver Island Indians. This position | was admirably fitted for and in time t Indians not only respected him but ec sulted him on matters tribal or person and bowed to his considered judgme without demurring. If Tom had had early education < vantages, he perhaps would not have be a Blackstone, but might have been a So mon. As the years rolled on, the time for | superannuation was at hand, and it y my pleasant duty to impress yearly Dr. Scott, head of the Federal Indi Department, also Canada’s greatest po the advantage of. retaining Tom’s se ices for another year. Age, in tir incapacitated him and he ,was retired spend his few remaining years in | town he loved, and was loved so well an intrepid nature’s gentleman. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOULDER STR/ MOUAT BROS. LIMITED * Dry Goods, Groceries, Flour and Feed General Merchandise Gas and Oil * GANGES, B. C. A. BITTANCOURT SHELL SERVICE STATION Dealer in ALL SHELL PRODUCTS Tobacco and Confectionery Ganges Harbour, B. C. SALT SPRING LANDS, Ltd. Real Estate, Financial and Insurance Agents = * GANGES, B. C. THE SHOULDER STR: