A VICTIM OF CARDSHARPING.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 496, 27 April 1869, Page 2

A VICTIM OF CARDSHARPING.

One of those cases which turn up occasionally for the express purpose, apparently, of showing how great a fool a man can malce of himself, came before the Melbourne City Court last week. One John Wilson alias Yorkey, described by the police as a '• magsman," was charged with having defrauded one Charles Barr of £lB9 by means of an unlawful game. Prosecutor's statement was that just as he landed in Melbourne, from the New Zealand goldfields, he met a man in the street who got him into a conversation about mining, and while that was going on a second person joined them. These two showed him a new Californian game, played with eight pieces of paper, which he did not join then, but which they made so attractive to him that he appointed to meet them and play it next day. He did meet them, with £25 in his pocket, and left them without a penny. They promised, however, to meet him next day, and give him an opportunity of winning back his money. On this occasion he had drawn about £75 from the Bank, and he lost it all, save a few pounds, to the same person who won from him the day before. Prisoner had dropped in, " by accident," during the first day's play, and took sides with prosecutor, apparently losing as much more, and paying with notes (" flash ") as he lost. After winning about £2OO in three days' play from Barr, the generous victor presented each of his unfortunate opponents with £lO, and left the room to order wine, but failed to return. Prisoner condoled very heartily with Barr, but shook him off as soon as possible, and then disappeared from the Colony with his confederates. This "new Californian game" is so transparent a swindle that it is surprising that any ordinary intelligence should fail to discover it. Eight pieces of paper are spread upon a table, and divided between the players. The active member of the confederacy sits on one side alone, and makes the game seem more or less favourable as occasion requires. At one end of the room, or at such a distance from the table as to make it impossible for him to see distinctly, a second confederate stands, with his back half turned from the players, but in full view of the third confederate, . who sits by the side of the victim nearest the man in the distance. Then the process commences. Sharper No. 1 takes the pieces of paper, and divides them. " Tou see, sir," he says to the idiot who plays against him, " I give you nearly two chances to my one. I take five pieces of paper and give you only three. Now, I am going to toss up this shilling, and that gentleman over there is going to call to me; every time he guesses right take one of my pieces of paper; every time he guesses wrong, I take one of yours. Now, I'll bet you £5 that I get rid of mine before you —it's all right, you see ; he can't see all that distance off." Down goes the coin, "head " is the cry, and the guess is right, swindler No. 3 having put his hand to his head just before the answer. And so on—a slight scratch of the bead, or a fall of the hand on the knee, gives the call and the sharpers win.