The Osceola times., 1884-05-03
SANDY TAKES A TAP.
Sixteen Thousand Dollars on the Turn OF
Cari-"I Leave for the states In tho
MOrnlu'."


Cari-"I Leave for the states In the
MornIn'."
Phaadelphia Times.
Don't seem to be doing much busi-
ness?'
"No; the game isn't popular here"
The speakers were Gerard G-of
Mobile and the writer; the time, lastAu-
gust, and the place the "Office" saloon
at the Hot Springs, where, in addition
to the other attractions, monte" game
was going on. Its exponent was a
short, stout Mexican with skin colored
like the rind of a railway refreshment-
room ham and about as greasy. He was
forever smoking little short stubs of
cigarettes, all the smoke of which he
somehow swallowed without its seeming
to impair his digestion, as he munched
sandwich between the puffs. His
handkerchief was thrown across his
knees, and he delt in his shirtsleeves
from very thin and straIge-looking
pack OF Spanish cards, as ours are too
thick for the purpose. These he held
face upward and pulled them off the
pack one at time, without exposing
even so much as the edge of the one in
sight, No chips were used. The silver
dollars, halves, and quarters were tempt
ingly displayed in a wooden rack. The
Mexican Haunted his wealth in vain, as
the loungers around his table seemed 10
be looking on out of mere idle curiosity.
Now and then some one flung down a
quarter. If they won they pocketed the
stakes and did not play second time.
If they lost they thrust their hands in
their pockets and sauntered over TO the
more congenial excitement of faro. A
couple of those CossacLs of the Rio
Grande, otherwise cowboys, strolled
over to the stud poker game, with the
pleasant remark: "D-n them greasers,
anyhow"
"Still this was the great California
game in 49," said q. II have seen
many big stake made Or lost at it"
what was the biggest single bet you
ever saw NADER"
sixteen thousand dollars. I'll tell
you now it happened. There was lit
tie gambler in Frisco who used to deal
it; Sandy Jackson was his name. He
came, if am not mistaken, from some
where in New Encland. George Walton,
the banker, wandcr red into his place a
little full one nigh, and. after looking
around rather unst IDLY for moment
laid his hand on Ssndy's shoulder ana
said:
SANDY. how much in the bank to-
night?"
The other PLAYERS turned 10 look at
the newcomers handsome, intelligent
but rather ssipated-looking face Sand,
took stock of his pile. 1t had been
lucky night for him. A thousand ounces
he replied $4,000.
"Will you take tap, Sandy?" asked
the banker.
Sandy seemed to study for moment.
He was evidently little staggered al
the reckless proposition. The light
shone full on his peaked, old-mannisb
features (he was barely turned of 20)
countless, freckless, sandy hair and littl,
twinkling ferret's eyes. He fixed hi
gaze on the window so intently that hi
eyes seemed to pierce the panes and tn,
darkness beyond, to seek some far away
object; his hands opened and shut nerv
ously. Suddenly the lines about his
mouth frightened; he leaned back in his
chair, and turning his face to look up al
Walton. uttered the one word. Yes"
"The banker seemed little surprised:
he evidently did not think his offer
would be accepted. Still he was too
proud and game man to weaken now.
So he walked over TO side table, and
drawing blank check from his pocket
book filed il for the amount named,
scribbled his name at the bottom, and
and tossed it over to Sandy with the
remark is that all right?'
SANDY glanced at it. All right, ]
guess, he muttered. Does it go?'
"The banker nodded. The gamblers
at the other tables stopped playing and
clustered around this one to see the re-
suit. In monte the first card shown is
for the dealer, the second for the PLAY
er. Sandy turned up two-the first was
a queen, the second nine. Whichever
came first now would win. Sandy placed
them next each other, a few inches apart.
The room was as still as death
SANDY gave quick glance around
the gallery and then began to pull
away the cards from the bottom one by
one. He was as white as a ghost, but
otherwise betrayed no emo. on, nor
would anyone have supposed that all he
had in the world was at stake.
"The exciteu eDt grew intense as carl
after card was removed and not q nine
or q face card showed itself. Ten, deuce
four. ace, Ska dozen or more cards
had been shown when Sandy paused;