Tehachapi High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Tehachapi, CA)

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IDEAL BETTING-Cont. Just what do you bet about? I q What I learn about men by observation. For an example and mean- ing no offense, I have been in your presence less than ten minutes, yet I already know certain facts about you that probably no one else under your command even suspects. For instance, I know that you have your initials tatooed on your chest either in blue or red, probably blue. Nonsense l returned Colonel Wilton. I don't like to disagree, sir, but you are just the type that would have it done in your youth. It is your kind that would deny it now. That is an example of the type of bet that I mean. I will gladly back my judgment in the matter to the extent of fifty dollars, for I am psychologically certain that such a bet will win me money. Colonel Wilton stood up and laughed heartily, his glance fell on Colo- nel Pitman's letter, then he paused. His face showed a crafty smile. I'll warn you, MacKegg, that you're wrong. However, for the dual purpose of striking a blow at your insufferable confidence and showing you that betting does not always pay, I'll wager the sum you mentioned. He pulled out his pocketbook from his blouse pocket and counted five bills onto his desk. MacKegg laid a similar amount beside it. Now, I'll give you my official word that I have nothing tatooed on my chest, he said. MacKegg's face looked lost. I expect that I'll lose that fifty, he said soberly. If the Colonel will pardon the idea, it is customary in a case of this kind to give the loser visible demonstration that he has lost. You might have forgotten, sir. If you don't believe it, I'll show you. The door was closed. Then Colonel Wilton began to remove his belt and blouse and laid them on the chair. He unbuttoned his shirt and pulled back his underwear after much eiort. Then he exposed his big chest. Look for yourself, Mr. MacKegg, he said triumphantly. MacKegg hardly looked at the chest. You win, sir, he said as he handed the hundred dollars to the colonel- I hope, young man, said the colonel as he struggled into his cloth- ing, that this will be a lesson to you. For once you were wrong when you said that you were psychologically certain of winning. No, sir, said MacKegg with a twinkle in his eyes. Again I was right. I thought that you had no tattoo marks on your chest, but I had to make certain. You see, sir, just before I left my old regiment, I bet Colonel Petman a thousand dollars that I wouldn't be a member of your command two hours before I would have your shirt off in your office, sirf' FIFTY EIGHT

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IDEAL BETTING . fg..ii. By WALTER ELLIOTT, '32 Colonel Wilton sat before his desk reading a letter from his old class- mate, Colonel Petman. It referred to Second Lieutenant Ted MacKegg, just ordered to Colonel Wilton's regiment. It read as follows: Young MacKegg is an excellent officer in many ways. He is a good man to drill. He is prompt in formations and is liked by all his brother officers. His only fault, the one that made me ask for his transfer, is gambling. He will bet on anything under the sun. He is always lucky and keeps all the officers broke. If you can brake him of this habit he will be the best officer under your command. You may eventually change his ideas with your own methods. The only trouble will be to get him to bet against sure things, re- iiected the colonelg let me think. His ideas are interrupted by the adjutant who entered his office fol- lowed by a clean cut young man with flaming red hair. He wore the uni- form of second lieutenant. Colonel, this is Mr. MacKegg, just assigned to us, said the adjutant as he handed an order to the colonel. - I am glad to know you, MacKegg, said the colonel as he shook hands. I just received a letter from Colonel Petman, and he speaks very highly about you. That's very kind of him, said MacKegg. I hardly thought he'd do that for me. He was the one who transferred me. He told me that in the letter, said the Colonel. He spoke well of you, but he mentioned one fault that I will not stand for under my command. He said you were a gambler. Colonel Petman is mistaken, Sir, said MacKegg. I never gamble except bridge at quarter-cent pointsg I can't afford to get into big games on my pay. He doesn't say that you play for money, corrected the Colonel. He says that you are a never ending better. Betting is as much gambling as poker. I beg your pardon for disagreeing, sir, said MacKegg, but betting as I do it, is not gambling. It is a form of instruction. Explain yourself, said the colonel. I am a profound student of human nature and I never bet unless I am psychologically certain of winning. The loser does not lose a betg he pays me a fee for a lesson in psychology, sir. FIFTY-SEVEN

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FIFTY NINE