Alias the Deacon
by John B. Hymer, Le Roy Clemens

The Deacon, so-called because of his clerical appearance, is really a professional cardsharp.

Quoting the other hoboes with him with whom his doing a bit of box-car traveling, the Deacon drops off at a Mid-West village, takes the bridge-playing ladies change away from them, trims the wise traveling salesman at poker and finally wins back the $2,500.

note the widow Clark has given the village Shylock on the Commercial Hotel.

Then he makes it possible for John Adams, the honest juvenile, to marry Phyllis Halliday, the pretty runaway ingenue, and goes quickly on his way while a friendly sheriff has his back turned.