Ambition and Harry Stone

The obituary read: Harry Stone, legendary gambler in the town of Intrepid, forty miles northeast of Pecos, drowned in the Pecos River following an accident last Sunday. A memorial service for Harry Stone will be held at The Poker Palladium, Intrepid, Texas, at 2 P.M. Thursday.

Harry Stone had money, women and a life of incredible ease. He was a card cheat. He was charming and handsome. He combined the tandem of his physical prowess with what seemed to be a magical, though dishonest, ability to extract money from all who were willing to risk it. Each piece of the puzzle fit together to make Harry a local hero. He was at the pinnacle of small town popularity when . .