The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-03
A Game of Draw Poker.

fain buy -four and gum shoes for his
family in the season of cold which
cometh upon those who live in Chi
cagO from the tenth to the fourth
month, and found himself amid sin
ners and publicans, whOse mercy is
strained even so fine thatit would
bother you some to discover 1t.
And when lie had reached Tincin-
natl he went to an inn and gave to
the landlord thereof three pieces of
silver, saying: mo monkey busi-
ness with me, Charlie; | am FROM
Bitter Creek" And he who kept
the inn marvrled greatly, and said
unto himself: "Thrse be strange
men that come from Chicago; never
are they to be bilkpd by hotel bill,
and he who endeavored to Outwit
them is invariably headed Off" But
nevertheless he bethough himself of a
poker game which was that night in
the Inn, aud laughed to himself with
exceeding great joy. Then arose the
landlord and went unto the place
called Bar where of certainty he
should find the man from Chicago,
and approaching him, said:
There be in this inn, even in the
third story thereof, Il small party of
prominent citizens which do play at
the game called draw poker. Per-
chance thou might, after much
travail, secure "A seat among them"
And when the host of the inn had
spake these words IA witching smile
did play around the lips of the Chi
cago man, and he answered, saying {:
81 am yet young, and of a certainty
far from mine home and family, and
fearful lest l fall among thieves"
But the landlord rebuked him. say
ing: ''In this party whereof | speak
are only business men, two being
Colonels and one a Judge. Would
you not deem it an honor to play
with these g. And the Chicago an
was overcome, and said softly: 81
should twitter," which being inter-
preted, 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
softly on the door of room
in which a light cleaned brightly.
And the door opened.
And when the Chicago man had
seated himself and 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 ColOneIs did bet seven
shekels; Whereupon bet Also the
Chicago man like amount. and did
vanauish the Colonel, who had that
which is called two pair. And when
this had occurred thrice the Colonel
said unite the Judge: "He is play
ing them close to 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 in 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 of the cards, saying he
was content. But the Colonel drew
one with great b0asting, telling with
intent to deceive the others, of how he
would bet, if perchance he made "A
full, which is hand of great strength,
and capable of overcoming threes, or
even a flush, but which cannot pre-
vail against fOurs. And having said
these words he wagered heavily of
silver and gold, all of which the Chi.
cago man did cover, and even betted
more, whereup0n put the Colonel
also his watch and diamond on the
table, ana wagered them freely. And
when all had been betted TIE Chicago
man said, straight fush," even as
he spoke gathering unto himself all
the treasures which the table held.
And when he had placed in his
pocket all the shekels, and in his
shirt front the diamond. and had
adorned himself with the watch, he
became suddenly sleepy, and said
II am too full TO play well tonight.
l will go to my bed"
And he went.
But those who were left did beat
their breasts and cry out, saying /:
"How are we knocked around and
Daralyzed by this stranger who COM
eth from Chicago and dresseth not in
fine rainment, but who has of money
great store and will wager 1t lavishly
on hand which cannot be overcome.
1t were better we had remained this
night with our wives and children.
Tomorrow night, however, we will
again play with him Mt the game