, 1881-12-30
A Game OF Draw Poker.

to Ohio, taking with him a return ticket,
lest he fell against q Cincinnati wheat
speculator and be robbed of that where
with he would fain buy -four and gum
shoes for his family in the season of cold
which cometh upon those which live In
Chicago from the tenth to the fourth
month, and finds himself among sinners
and pubhcans, whose mercy is strained
even so fine that it would bother him
| some to discover it.
And when he had reached Cincinnati
he went to an inn and gave TO the land
lord thereof three pieces of silver, say
ing: mo monkey business with me,
Charlie; l am from Bitter Creek" And
he who kept the inn marveled greatly
and said unto himself: "rhese be strange
men that come from Chicago; never are
they bilked by hotel bill, and he who
endeavored to outwit them is invariably
headed Off" But nevertheless he be-
thought himself of poker game which
was that night in the inn, and laughed
to himself with exceeding great Joy
Then arose the landlord and went unto
the place called Bar, where of certainty
lie should find the man from Chicago,
and approaching him. said:
''There be in this inn, even in the
third story thereof, a small party of
prominent citizens which do play at the
game called poker. Perchance thon
might, after much travail, secure seat
among them"
And when the host of the inn had
spake these words witching smile play
ed around the lips of the Chicago man,
and he answered saying: 81 am yet
young, and of a certainty far from mine
hpu " foo rf,ll I oh
fall among thieves"
But the landlord rebuked him saying:
I'm this party whereof 1 speak are only
business men, two being colonels and
one Judge. Would you not deem it an
honor to play with these?" And tine
Chicago man was overcome, and said
softly: II should twitter," which, being
interpreted, means that he should blush
to giggle.
So they went up in that which is called
Elevator, until three stories were below
them, and the landlord knocked softly
on the door of q room in which q light
cleaned brightly.
And the door opened.
And when the Chicago man had seated
himself anc bought of chips an hundred
shekels' worth, he spake not, but drank
heartily. And it came to pass that after
many deals one of the colonels did bet
seven shekels; whereupon bet also the
Chicago man q like amount. and did van
quish the colonel, who had that which is
called two pair. And when this had oc-
Cured thrice the colonel said unto the
Judge: He is playing them close unto
his stomach"
And it was SO.
But presently there came to the colonel
a hand of exceeding beauty and strength,
being four aces; and he who held them
was filled with glee and knew not fear,
placing il the center of the table great
quantities of shekels. And when it came
to that which is called the draw the
Chicago man took not one of the cards,
saying that he was content. But the
colonel drew one with great boasting,
telling NOW he would bet if perchance
he made full, which is hand of great
strength. and capable of overcoming
threes, or even flush, but which cannot
prevail against fours. And having said |
these words he wagered heavily of silver
and gold, all of which the Chicago man
did cover, and even betted more, |
whereupon put the colonel also his watch |
and diamond on the table, and wagered |
them freely. And when all had been
betted the Chicago man said: Straight |
flush" even as ne spoke gathering unto |
himself all the treasures which the table |
held. And when he had placed in his |
pocket all the sbekels, and in his shirt |
front the diamond and had adorned him
self with the watch he said: 81 am too full |
to play well tonight. 1 will go to bed.
And he went.
But those who were left did beat their
breasts and cry out, saying: 'How are
we knocked around and paralyZed by
this stranger who cometh froLc Chicago
and dresseth not in fine raiment, but
who has of money great store and will
wager it lavishly on hand which cannot
be overcome. 1t were better We had re-
manned this night with our wives and
children. Tomorrow night, however,
we will again play with him at the game
called poker, so that he shall be over
thrown and cast down in spirit"
But they wist not what they said.
For in the morning the stranger de-
parted from out their gates and came
back to his wife, who fell upon his
neck and kissed him. And he did kiss
her on the cheek, saying: MARY, you
can order that sealskin."
And she made answer, and said:
Charlie, you're a darling; kiss me
again.
One of John Ruskin's letters gives his
notion whether men who make them
selves destructive vermin should De ex-
tinguished He then proceeds thus to
speak of insane murderers: Yet, L as
sure you, sir, insanity is tender point
with ME. One of my best friends has