The $500 Check — page 241: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

299 THE $500 CHEOK. The two took seats opposite, between which was a small table, and the game began. Bert looked over now and then, and saw that they were playing for money. He was startled, for he had been taught to regard gambling with horror. Jt seemed evident after awhile that his late seat-mate was losing. He became more and more excited and nervous, and his face was overspread with gloom. At length he came over to Bert, and said, eagerly: ‘‘ My young friend, will you do me a favor?”’ ‘What is it, sir ?”’ ‘‘Lend me five dollars.”’ This seemed to Bert an extraordinary request from a perfect stranger. ‘¢ You must excuse me, sir,’’? he answered. ‘‘ Haven't you gotas much about you? Say two dollars, then.’’ ‘‘The money I have with me is not my own,”’ said Bert. ‘‘I cannot lend anything.” ‘But, let me assure you, I will give it back to you before the train reaches Harrisburg. I have had a streak of bad luck, and that man over there has won all my money. But Ive got on to his game, and I will soon have it all GOMIGchbOOoKS:- Go