Two Smooth Individuals

Visit Ann Arbor and Get Away With $75

LOCAL SPORTS' PROPERTY

Whom the Strangers Engaged in a "Friendly" Game of Pedro and Fleeced

Three gamblers of the variety usually classified in police circles as "confidence men" operated in Ann Arbor on Saturday last to the infinite disgust of a number of sportively inclined gentlemen, one of whose favorite pastimes is luring the fickle goddess of fortune through the medium of the gaming table.

The trio, one of whom alleged the party came from Toledo, reached the city in the morning and while they were here it is said made things lively at the places which they visited, which were nearly all saloons. How much money they took away with them when they made their sudden exit on Saturday afternoon is only a matter of conjecture, and some of those whom they are alleged to have "worked" are not at all inclined to say how much they are out of pocket by their meeting with the strangers. Putting two and two together, however, it's a cinch that the fellows did not quit town with less than $75, said amount being, previous to the visitors' appearance, the property of certain Ann Arbor sports.

Among the saloons which the Toledo gentry visited was that of Nate Horning, at 222 Detroit street. Mr. Horning, when seen, was quite reticent about speaking of the matter. He admitted that the men were at his place on Saturday, however, but declared he did not lose any money in the "friendly" game of pedro which they played while in his place. They took their departure, he says about 5 o'clock.

The following from the Argus at Ypsilanti would seem to indicate that the gamblers, after leaving Ann Arbor hied themselves to Ypsilanti. Here's what our Ypsilanti correspondent says:

GOT AWAY WITH $45.

A local dispenser of liquid refreshments was cleverly roped in by a pair of sharpers Saturday evening to the tune of $45. A well dressed stranger sauntered in, bought a drink and sat down at a table and began writing. Soon another stranger appeared and made himself at home, without, however, appearing to be acquainted with No. 1. The second engaged himself in conversation with the proprietor and in a short time casually suggested a game of pedro, asking the saloon man to make up the rest of the party. The latter called to a young Ypsilantian standing near, and just then stranger No. 1 put up his writing and offered to fill up the number.

The pedro game progressed for some time, when No. 2 remarked suddenly that he was holding a mighty good poker hand. "So am I," put in No. 1, "and I will bet you $5 on it" No. 2 raked in the money as he had three queens while No. 1 had two pairs, but after a hand or two more No. 1 spoke up: "I'll get back at you gentlemen, now at poker hands, if you want to come. Anybody got anything?"

"I haven't a thing," answered No. 2, who had won the speaker's money a minute before, and he looked inquiringly around the table at the proprietor and the fourth player. The proprietor had four aces, so he pulled out a $5 bilí, at which No. 1 covered it and pushed out $40 more. The Ypsilantian was game and produced the $40, so the pile contained $90. The stranger had a straight flush. which had been dealt him by his pal, who had also intentionally given the saloon man the four aces, so the Ypsilantian saw his $45 slip through his fingers.

Te ke of the affair is that not for an hour or more did the victim realize that he had been buncoed.