Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-09-07
An American All Sin.

A good story, one certainly that viii
be relished by San Francisco sports who
may chance to know the leading actor
ih it, comes up from La Paz, Mexico.
All lovers of stdraw," and all whor have
ever been taken in by betting on two
pairs, will appreciate the details of this
narrative of misplaced confidence. 1t
Is a maxim among gamblers that no
man will hesitate to swallow hook
bited with sssure thing" The story
about TO be related is founded on this
principle of gamblin 3. The steamer
Sonora, which arrived at La Paz a week
PESO before the 4tho July,a brought to
that little Mexican town a smooth
toAgued gentleman who represented
himself as a mining expert about to in
spect several valuable pieces of property
located somewhere in the mysterious
country back of the town. He gave his
maine as William Curtis, and was, he
said, but recently from San Francisco.
To those who met Mr.. Curtis it was
quite evident that he had more money
than brains, although he might be &C.
counted very good mining expert.
He conducted himself in a manner that
would be described in sporting circles
as s.fresh, p" a condition for which d salt
water voyage is no remedy. Immedi-
ately on arriving at La Paz, Mr.. Curtis
sought an introduction to the Protector
of the town. The Protector of La Paz
is very dignified person, who in the
political register would rank with our
Mayor Blake, the gentlemen in both
cases being the chief magistrates of their
particular burgs. The Protector re-
ceived him cordially; in fact, was over
loyed to meet so distinguished a Gringo,
and said in Spanish: s'Senor, L throw
myself at your feet" On the third
evening after this acquaintance began,
and after the Protector had introduced
the innocent American to countless
number of his mercantile friends, Mr..
Curtis was invited around to the club.
at the club Curtis met number of his
new acquaintance, and after the usual
exchange of civilities, and after each of
the party had imbibed quantity of
aguardiente, game of draw poker was
proposed. The Gringo' s innocent ante
cedents at once interviewed, and he pro-
tested that he not only could not play,
but he was opposed to the game on
principle. The Mexicans laid siege to
the bashful young mans scruples, over
came them, and finally induced him to
stake hands, a. --r-
The American asked foolish ques-
tions concerning the game, and gen.
orally showed that his early education
had neen sadly neglected.
s'What is the biggest hand man can
geta" he inquired of one of his Castil-
liam friends.
ysFour acessis the Biggest he was
;ol,
nobody ever gets unless he has a
four aces" whispered the Mexicans,
'we often bet heavily on a single pair.
The party sat down and arranged a
game at 81 ante without limit, of which
proceeding the mining expert appeared
TO have no understanding. In the first
draw Mr.. Curtis picked up three tens.
The man next to him bet $15. and the
raised him 800. Two of the
party passed, but the third raised Cur
tia $40, to which the latter responded
with 5000. The Mexican called, and
Curtis picked up another ten, while his
who had three sevens, did
not improve his hand. He looked at
the American. The blank appearance
of that persons countenance treasured
him, and he bet $500. Curtis reflected
for a moment. looked somewhat be-
and raised the amount to
$500. The Mexican, astonished, threw
down his cards, and Curtis swept the
money off the table. The Mexicans
held q mute Consultation for n moment,
and shnffled the cards on another deal.
Beaore the draw the American picked |
up jack full and lost about $50 on it.
In his next hand he picked up four fives.
This time the Mexicans were laying for
their friend, and, under the impetus of
good draws, the pot rapidly mounted
up to $500. At that point the Mexican
called, having prepared the deck to
swindle the unsuspecting Gringo. Cur
tis passed, knowing his nervous oppo-
nent would bet,which he did, raising the
amount of money on the table to about
His hand and exhibited four jacks. -a.
g It's not good" said the American,
SCI have four aces" ~ 8tasa
The party was struck dumb with as
while the mining expert
ceolly swept the pile of money into his
pocket. I'D .e-i s5--t'a., 'f- i1--7 ='7'Fh
But the Spanish blood of the natives
was up. They could scarcely brook the
presence of o. Gringo in La Paz, much
less endure seeing one of the hated race
carry off $4,000 at their favorite game,
when they had expected to
gather, in his surplus cash. That same
evening they hunted up Don Carlos
Ramero. The don is noted sport and
and is justly celebrated
the Republic of Mexico. The
matter was soon arranged, and the next
evening Mr.. Curtis was again invited to
The club. On this occasion Don Carlos
was introduced as leading
merchant of La Paz, who often in
dulged in poker after dinner. The party
smoked few cigarettes, gossiped lit
tie about American affairs. and dis
eussed the prospects of another Mexican
revolution in the near future. Finally
was proposed. Don Carlos was
backward at first, but ultimately con-
sented, and they sat down. Two honrs
afterward they arose. Don Carlos had
lost over 90, 700. In all the San Fran
cisco sport had captured over So, 000. of
! n Il