The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-11-07

wnen ne played his famous game. The
players in the game were three we'll
known citizens of that town, one of
whom, the victim, had Just become
heir to half a million. This was man
named Weed. Scott also had money,
and was surrounded by wealthy
friends. The third member of the
party was former Sunday school
teacher, dentist named DR.. MoRtre-
vile M. Hedges. 1t was shown after
ward that the poker pot was adroitly
run mp to $3.50, 900 on bets of at least
$4,000 each. The dealer was DR..
Hedges, the shrewdest player of the
three. AS he deity dropped the last
card on the little round table he called
out to know what the other players
wanted. Scott said he only wanted
one card. Of course the question
arose, Was he drawing to fill straight
or flushP Weed applied to the deal
er for two cards, and the question to be
decided in his case by the others was
whether he was drawing to get four Of
kind or to fill full hand, a straight,
or flush. Hedges rested on his oars.
He had enough, which was of course
interpreted to mean that it was any,
thing from straight or full hand up
to straight flush. The drawing over,
the faces of the three frightened up,
and it is safe to say that never before
had three lonely men in little game
held three such hands of cards. When
the betting got up to $4,000 or $4,000,
WEED WANTED TO STOP,
because" as he said, there is not
apa of ,,o that will Now xyo 1oso e,,al,
an amount" 1t was not stopped, how
ever. After little Hedges, who had
stood pat with his hand and engaged
in the betting as it went around until
the pot was pushed up to $l50,00O,
called Scott. Then came the lay
down, and afterward Hedges memoir
able words to Weed. 'This is dread
full, amt itp'' Of course, the simple
minded Weed was taken in. He had
received fine hand that would have
nerved even the most timid gambler up
to strong betting point. 1t was four
of kind, and they were aces at that.
In any ordinary game bold better
would have done as Weed did, 90 to
the bitter end. SCOTS one draw card
was the corn breaker. Did it fill full
hand or straight? was the question
that ran through Weeds mind continu-
ously, while the chips, representing
thousands of dollars, were being
thrown into the pot. ''Of course, if
it's either, my four aces will beat him."
he argued, ''while it isn't possible that
Hedges drew better than four aces in
the deal. -"
When the end came Weed was
struck almost dumb. His four aces
were worthless; Scott had drawn in
the one card he took the right color
and the proper number of spots to
make his hand straight flush, the
only thing that would down four aces.
Weed attempted to compromise by
paying $1,000. He then thought the
game had been honestly conducted.
But Scott was obdurate and would not
settle. He not only wanted the whole
amount, but he wanted it then and
there, or at least something in settle
ment that would
BIND WEED AND HIS FORTUNE
to the payment of the debt. If he
didn't get it he said he would publish
Weed all over the town, where his
family stood high in society. This
was more than Weed could stand, and
at the same time, it is said, there were
other strings that were pulled to bring
him to terms. Hedges told Scott to
retire minute, and he went out. Then
Hedges approached Weed with smiles
and offered his assistance. OF course,
Hedges was also loser of $4,000 to
Scott, which made the latter's win
nings on the game 100000, but as it
could paid, probably no notice
was ia of such a trifling thing.
''This is dreadful, amt itp" said
Hedges and added: "Therc is only
one way we can get that money back"
Then he proposed to Weed to mark
the cards and 60 at it again and clean
Scott out. He took his knife and
marked card with it. ''Now," said
he, 1--WE can tell in this way which are
aces and which are kings, and we'll
get square with him that way"
"No," said Weed, who still innocent
~ believed he had been treated fairly
and honestly; mo, if l can't pay a
square game, l won't play at all" The
Doctor was now at his wits end, and
the victim of the plot walked out. At
the bottom of the s'eps which led to
the street he met Scott, who was still
stubborn. His pleading with Scott was
unavailing. Weed said to him that
he'd always been his friend, and he
didn't think it square to exact all of
the $150,000 from him. They parted
that night with no understanding about
the payment of the money.
The next morning Weed met Hedges
and Scott in the Hedges laboratory,
where the game had been played.
Scott still demanded payment of the
full amount owed. Weed did not know
what to do.
HE DARED NOT SEEK ADVICE
for fear of publicity, and the only way
he could see out of the matter was to
foot the bill and to let it be the last.
Hedges stood ready to give his note in
payment of his $4,000 loss. "And
why shou' dn't Ipn unused Weed.
Probably Hedges will never pay his
note, but that is no reason why
shouldn't act the part of an honorable
player. Yes, that is best, and I'll do
it." So Weed and Hedges both paid
| tbair dabt IF honor with potaS