Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-08-07
THE HAND WHICH WON.

burg were a Georgian and his wife,
who have relatives in Mississippi
He was a large sized, handsome
| looking man, and she was pleas
ant looking little woman, with
blue eyes and short chestnut curls
One would have said that she
would have screamed at tilt OF
the boat
He SAT smoking with other gem
tiemen after she had retired to her
state-r0om, and the cabin was en-
tirely clear of ladies, when some
one proposed game OF cards. In
tel. minutes after halfa dozen men
were shuffiing cards over cabin ta-
bles, and the Georgian was match
ed against a stranger to all on
board. He wa quiet courteous,
well-dressed man, and had been
| taken for traveller In search of
health. He was lucky with his
cards, but he did not propose play
ing for stakes Ii was the netiled
Georgian who proposed 1t. He
called himselfa champion hand at
poker, and when he found that he
had met his equal he determined
to test the strangers financial me-
tai.
They had fifty dollars on the la
bic when the Captain looked into
he cabin. He c. ught the Geor-
CLANS eye and gave him to under
stand that his opponent was riv-
er black-leg, but the other gentle
men had dropped their cards and
crowded around, money was up,
and the information had come too
late. Besides, the Georgian was
doing well enough,and he battered
himself that he could 'teach" the
courteous hlack-leg lesson.
1t was very quiet group thus
engaged around the table, and af-
ter the play had continued for fif-
teen minutes, the gentlemen spoke
in whispers, and some of them
were reminded of old times on the
Mississippi, when gamblers had
the full run of every boat.
The Georgian had luck with him
from tie start, and while he look
ed smiling and confident, the gam
bier appeared to grow excited and
uneasy. His money was raked
across the table until the Georgian
had $500 in greenbacks before him.
The stakes had been light up to
this time, both men seeming to
fear each others skill. The Geor-
gian proposed to increase them,
and the gambler agreed. In ten
minutes the latter had his 5000 all
back Luck had turned. The Geor-
gian lost $40, then $50, then $50,
and then 500
The gamblers face wore quiet
smile, as the Georgian's became
nervous. His hand trembled as
he held up the cards, and his face
was wet with moisture.
Come, gentlen. en- said one of
the group, let's have general
game for amusement, and then
turn in.'
The Georgian looked up with a
fixed glance nd replied:
!. Il have lost $500; he hisist give
mesa fair show!' a'.t ~
srhe iplaympntsens The heapssf
greenbacksat the gamblers right
hand grew larger. Once in a while
the Georgian won, but he lost ten
dollars for every one gained. He
finally laid down his cards, pulled
a roll of bills from his breast pock-
ct, and counted out 5000. This was
his pile. In less than ten minutes
every dollar of it had been added
to the gamblers heap.
Gentlemen, will you smoke p
asked the gambler, as he turned
around and drew his cigar case.
They knew his true character in
spite of his disguise, and they re-
fused.
I am sorry for my friend,' he
continued, biting at the end of q
cigar, but you will agree that the
play was fair
The Georgian had passed out on
/ the promenade deck. The gambler
turned to his stack of bills and was
counting them when there was a
sharp exclamation, the sound of a
briefstruggle, and the little woman
With blue eyes and chestnut curls,
entered the cabin. She was half
undressed, and shawl thrown over
her shoulders, and she had re-
volver in her hand.
No one seen her leave her state
room and cross the cabin. No one
knew that her husband had the
revolver In his hand as she softly
came upon him. GO back = he
whispered, Il am coming in mo-
ment!'
With swift motion she seized the
! weapon, wrenched 1t from his