The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-09-23
Beating a Gambler.

Old Benedick Kirk, the king of the Missis
sippi river gamblers, was born here, writes
Marysville, Ky, correspondent of the Phila.
| delphia Times, and received his first lessons
in cold decking and stripping at the quaint Ole
| town Of Washington, which is four miles soutl
of here, on the Lexington pike. In those days
| Washington and Circleyille, Ohio, were the
chief commercial towns of the new West
Cincinnati was only a struggling village aut
Chicago a pioneer camp. Washington was tue
seat Of Mason county, and during court tern
there were gathered there all the leading
| planters, lawyers, merchants and sporting
men Of the bluegrass country.
Young Kirk had a talent for cards, and b.
fore he was seventeen years of age he had no
equal about Washington. He sighed for other
worlds TO conquer, visited Circleville, and
went as far up the river as Pittsburg. His
methods filed his wallet, and he determined
upon an extensive trip South.
From that hour his fame was assured, and
his fortune fuctuated from extreme poverty
to opulent riches. lie won at the card table
thousands Of dollars, but as speedily lost his
easiIy-acquired riches trying to beat faro.
When the Blue Lick Springs became the sum-
mer resort Of the wealthy Southerners, Bene-
dict mingled with them freely, laughed at
their Jokes, listened to their stories, and won
their money. His career was a most eventful
one, aud he died poor. One Of his favorite
pastimes was TO down" D fellow gambler
usually by combining with him to fleece an
outsider and then giving away the game.
Once he found himself in Louisville, after
protracted siege at faro, without dollar. He
became Disguised with the Falls City, and
boarded dowu-riyer steamer Ii touched at
1TFf1o Il l.
genuine jayhawker, about immigratipg TO
Kansas, came aboard. He displayed plenty
Of money, and Benedict selected him as a
victim. He formed the fellows acquaintance
and the jayhawker was delighted with his
new-made friend 1t happened that there was
another gambler aboard the bUat, and he, too,
cast enviOus eyes upon the Indianian. He
knew Benedict Kirk, and watching HE op-
portunity, called the great gambler aside.
Benedict" he said, pointing to the In
your friend seems to have plenty Of
money"
About $1,000" answered Kirk.
. why don't you get it?"
would, but l lost my last dollar at faro
I'm pretty well fixed, cried the gambler,
eagerly, displaying 4 large roll of bills and
sack ot coin. "You play and I'll stake YOU"
Agreed said Benedict. "Giye me 500
to start the game"
The gambler placed in his hands the re-
iuIred sum aud Kirk rejoined the IndiauiaD.
When they were alone he leaned forward and |
aid: ~ WV
my friend, you are an innocent good heart
d fellow, and 1 like YOU Can you play
,orker7'
"a little"
Well, suppose we play game am Ben
dict Kirk, ana THAI fellow forward there"
iodding toward the other gambler, wants me
0 fleece you. He is going to furnish the
money, and after We have been PLAYING awhile
deal You four kings Discard tie useless card
nd draw another Then bet every dollar
hat You have, and I'll zee you with money
hat u borrow from my friend up forward.
-ou Il win aud we'll divide up
The indianian had heard Of Benedict Kirk
nd he agreed to 90 into the game. The gam
Ter who had staked Kirk sauniercd up TO the
lble where they were playing, as though ont
Idle curiosity, and stood 80 that he could
&c BenedicIs hand. For a half-hour the
anne moved along slowly, the bets being
nall. Finally Benedic: dealt, and when he
used his hand the gambler saw that it con-
ined four aces. The Indianian made good
Is ante and called for one card. Benedict
rev one. Then they began to bet, cautious
at trst- Finally, when It vas Benedict's
~ 70 bet, he hesitated and said:
I've got hand here that l would back
I'm million II had It. 1 hate 10 call you,
i m afraid shall have to-
This was the gamblers cue and he was
llck to take it up.
II loan you any sum to back that hand.
friend, he said, and laid :. roll of notes
The betting proceeded, and, finally, when
airy every dollar Of the gamblers money
Is on the table, Kirk called the Indianian's
FouT kingsl" cried thejayhawker, spread |
: out BIS hand and reaching for the pot.
Hold on there iaterPosed the gambler
10 had been Lacking Kirk. This hand
ats yours. -Four aces"
Kirk turned up his cards, but to the sur
ise and disgust Of the gambler, there were
&c aces, i've and a seven spot. &
'CoufoEnd the luck!" cred Kirk, IN well 3
iuiAted establishment, Il discarded the =
ong card.
The gambler, not daring to accuse Kirk Of Ia
but confident that he had been
1e the victim Of one Of the great gamblers
ewd tricks, turned on his heel with an OATH !
retired 70 his staie-room. The Indiauiau
hered up his winnings
Aov comes the fuuhy part OF the storv,n 81
Z hirk, who told ne this incident himself
eral years ago when l got an cppor-
ity 70 see my jayhaWl1er friend alone and
Cd him for ny share Of the Winnings he
Shed a ne. I Won tha1anoney, and us /
e Be sad, bat as you are broke don't ! NJ