"Yes, and sometimes I beat the game just for fun. You see I am down on gamblers, I just like to beat them. Generally there are one or two of those rascals on this train, but they know me; I don't get a chance at them any more, so I sometimes amuse myself by astonishing greenhorns. By ginger! but it's funny I've never been in New York; I am half a mind to go right on to the great city with you." "Yes, come along," said Desmond, a merry twinkle in his eyes. CHAPTER VIII. PLAYING TO CATCH A WEASEL--A SHARP'S SCHOLAR--OPENING UP OF THE GAME--TWO BIG HANDS--A CRISIS. "I can't go, but I'd like to; but you give me your address, and some day you will see me in York. I feel like the man who said, 'See Venice and die;' I want to see New York. Say, they tell me there are a great many sharpers in that wonderful city." "Yes, it's full of them." "Well, wouldn't I have fun beating those fellows, especially on the race track, eh? They tell me these sharps are as thick as mosquitoes in August down on the race tracks." "Yes, they hover around there." "I like you, young fellow." "Thank you." "Yes, I do." "So you said." "You're honest; I like an honest young fellow every time. Are you an orphan?" "A half orphan." "Your mother dead?" "No, my father." "Well, I am just the other way--my mother is dead and my dad, he is away up. They say he is a great man. I reckon he is, but I am no shakes; you see I care more for fun than lands. Now, see here; I'll teach you some tricks. Would you like to learn?" "Yes, I would." "Good enough, and when you get back to York you can punish some of those sharps there, for my occupation is gone out here; they won't let me play against them or I'd beat them every time--yes, I beat their game and then give the money away to some poor person who needs it; but they don't know you, and before we get to the end of the route some of those fellows may get aboard, and as I said, they don't know you, and we'll have some great fun; you can beat the game." "I'd like to do that." "You would?" "Yes." "Why?" "I was beaten once." "You were?" "Yes." "At what game?" "Three card monte." "Well, well! and did they ever come the thimblerig on you?" "Yes, I had a taste of that also." "Then you've been through the mill?" "Yes." "Well, now, see here; I'll teach you the game, and you are the only one I ever will teach it to; you are honest. But if I were to teach the game to some fellows who claim to be honest they would start in as gamblers right away." "I never will." "No, I can see that in your eye; you've got an honest face; I like you clean through." "Thank you again." "Yes, and I am going to learn you a trick or two." "I'll be glad to learn." The man produced his cards and said: "I always carry an outfit with me just for fun." "Is that so?" "Yes." "That's fine."