The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-11-05
BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME,
Benedict Kinks Sad Experience With A
COuntryman From Indiana.

asnlngtOn, NY. His career was a
most eventful one, and he died poor.
One of his favorite pastimes was to
down a fellow-gambler, usually by
combining with him to fleece IN out
slider, and then giving away the game.
Once he found himself in Louisville,
after protracted siege at faro without
a dollar. He became disguised with
the Falls City and boarded a down
river steamer. 1t touched at some lit
tie town on the Indiana shore, and a
genuine jayhawker about emigrating
to Kansas came aboard. He displayed
plenty of money, and Benedict selected
him as avictim. He formed the fell
lows acquaintance, and the jawhawker
was delighted with his new friend. 1t
happened that there was another GAM
bier aboard the boat, and he, too, cast
envious eyes upon the Indianian. He
knew Benedict Kirk, and called
the great gambler aside
''Benedict,' he said, pointing to the
Indianian, "your friend seems to have
money!
"About s5,0O0,' answered Kirk.
Why don't you get it?;'
II would, but lost my last dollar at
faro in Louisville"
I'm pretty we'll fixed,'' cried the
gambler eagerly, displaying large
roll of bills and a sack of coin. You
play and I'll stake YOU
"Agreed!' said Benedict. :sGive me
one hundred to start the game.
The gambler placed in his hands the
required sum, and Kirk rejoined the
1ndianian. When they were alone he
leaned forward and said:
"My friend, you are a good-hearted
fellow; and l like you. Can you play
poker?''
"a little.''
We'll, suppose we play a game. l
am Benedict Kirk, and that fellow for
ward there,' nodding toward the 9th
er gambler, wants me to fleece you.
He is going to furnish the money, and
after we have been playing awhile
will deal you four kings. Discard the
useless card and draw another. Then
bet every dollar That you have, and III
see You with money that Ill borrow
from my friend up forward. You'll
win and We'll divide up
The Indianian had heard of Benedict
Kirk and he agreed to 90 into the
game. The gambler who had staked
Kirk sauntered up to the table where
they were playing, as though out of
idle curiosity, and stood so that ht,
could see Bencdict's hand. For a half
hour the game moved along slowly,
the bets beng small. Finally Benedict
dealt, and when he raised his head the
gamblers saw that it contained four
aces. The Indianlan made good his
ante and called for Que card. Benedict
drew one. Then they began to bet,
cautiously at first. Finally. when it
was Benedict's turn, he hesitated and
said:
1--we got hand here that | would
back with a million if l had it. Ihave
to call you, but I'm afraid shall have
to-
This was the gamblers cue and he
was quick to make it up.
''Ill loan you any sum to back that
hand, my friend,' he said, and laid
down roll Of notes.
The betting proceeded. and finally
when nearly every dollar of the
gambler money was on the table Kirk
called the Indianian hand.
''Four kings!'' cried the jayhawker,
spreading out his hand and reaching
for the pot.
Hold on therc!" interposcd the
gambler, who had been backing Kirk
This hand beats yours. Four aces''
Kirk turned up his cards, but to the
surprise and disgust of the gambler
there were three aces, a five and a
seven spot.
"Confound the luck!'' cried Kirk, in
we'll stimulated establishment. Il dis
carded the wrong card
The gambler not daring to accuse
Kirk of double dealing, but confident
that he had been made the victim OF
| one of the great gamblers shrewd
tricks, turned on his heel with an oath
and retired to his statcroom. The
1ndianian gathered up his winnings.
'Now comes the funny part of the
story said Kirk, who told me this in.
cidcnt himself several years ago
when got an opportunity to sec
my jayhawker friend alone and asked
him for my share of the winnings he
laughed at me-
II won the money, and it's mine,
he said, "but as you are broke / dom
mind giving you back $780," saw i,
was no use arguing the question with
the countryman. and took his 800
never saw him aftcrward
but he was the only man that ever go
the best of me at my own game