FIVE DOLLARS FOR A TRICK.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

FIVE DOLLARS FOR A TRICK.

" Yotr see this dollar ?" said one of a company of men in front of a rosewood bar in oue of the leading hotels in Philadelphia, and lie handed a dollar to one of the group, who examined it and passed it round the company. All decided there was nothing unusual in its appearance, unless it was counterfeit. "No, it's not

counterfeit," said the first speaker, " bu

I will let you take that dollar, and spin it on the bar. I will turn iny back, and

will tell you whether it turns head or tail. "Impossible," said ono of the doubters, unless you use a looking glass." "No, I dou't use anything, and I'll bet

you the drinks I tell it every time." "Done," said the doubter. The man turned his back to the bar, the coin was spun, and, as it settled he called out —"Heads." It was "heads." " Make; it three out of five times

for another round," said another of the group. " Certainly," conseuted the stranger accomodatingly. Again the coin spun round and '" tails," was called. The third time it turned '' tails," and a

third time the stranger "called." "I can keep it up all night, gentlemen," ho said smilingly, The drinks were paid for, and the stranger, under the genial

influence of the liquor, and the urgen

requests of the company, said—" I don't often give my tricks away, but it will leak out sooner or later. You see gentlemen, the coin on the " head" side is nicked very slightly by a knife, the nicks being about an eighth of an inch apart. The nicks are so small as to be scarcely perceptible. When you spin the coin, if it turns on the nicked side it settles quickly, whereas on the other side it slowly settles, taking fully twice as long to "die" as on the other side. By the differences in sound, you see I can toll which side turns up, or, rather, down, It's all told by sound. The coin was handed around and spun again, and what the stranger said proved true, much to the delight of the group, who were glad, apparently, as is usually the case, to get hold of a trick which at first seemed inexplicable. "There, fix me a dollar that way," said one of the group, handing out the money, and the other four requested a like favour at the hands of the stranger, who, taking out a pen knife, obligingly done as requested. t Then bidding them a polite goodnight, 'he gracefully retired, leaving the group spinning their coins. Suddenly one of them picked up his dollar, examined it, and quickly flung it on the bar, the sound given out being nnmiatakcable dull, dead Botfnd of a counterfeit. "Done for five dollars," said he, as he looked ruefully at the door where the stranger had disappeared. " Well, we've learned a trick well worth a dollar," said another philosophically.—Philadelphia Inquirer.