Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-30
He Threw away -Four queens.
From the Nea1 York Sun.


One Of the most famous games of poker ever
played in the Northwest was between the
late STANLEY Huntiey and Mai. A. W. Ed
wards, the editor and proprietor of the Fargo
Argus Mr.. Huntley had not been making
much money out of the Bismarck Tribune. and
when he vas taken sick and was unable to
attend to business for several months, his at
fairs became 50 entangled that he determined
to sell out his share in The paper. As the
Tribune was the only paper IN Bismarck at
that time, and as there was strong
political ring in the country, he
had hopes OF dlsposing of his property to
the politicians; bat, fearing that he might
fail TO DO so, he dropped 3 line to Maj. Ed
wards, asking him to buy his paper. Mai.
Edwards had made a fortune out OF his own
paper, and, as he was Ambitious to own more
papers, he promptly responded TO the letter
by drawing s.. 900 from the bank and taking
the first tram for Bismarck. When he reached
that city he found that the trade with the
politicians had been made, and Huntley had
come out OF his difficulties with several hun
drcd dollars in cool cash. 1t was several hours
before the return train left, and, having moth
ing else TO do, the Major suggested that they
play a game OF poi er at IS ante.
The Majors fame as a poker player was not
confined alone to Fargo. He was recognized
thro ghout the Territory as the best player in
the Northwest, and when it became nosed
about the town that he and Huutley were to
play for large stakes there was 10 saloon in
the place large enough to accommodate the
crowd. and the game was moved to the town
hall over the engine house.
The game began at noon and continued until
2 O'Clock, with varying success. At last there
WAS a jack pot containing $500 on the table,
and it was Mai. Edwards deal. When Mr..
Huniley picked up his hand he saw that he
held -FOUR queens ana an ace. He was sur
prlsed. Cards had not been running well
enough to Justify such luck. He saw the Major
throw away one card and hold four.
"How much do you open IL fOr2" asked the
Major nonchalantly.
Huntley stopped moment to think and
then replied calmly:
81 don't open It."
"well, will" said the Major.
"For how much2" asked IIuntley.
"For $780, replied the Major.
"All right said iiuntley, throwing away
his four queens, aud keeping his ace, "Ill
come in. Give me four cards"
with a glance of incre,luity and pity the
Major eat them and took one himself.
"l'll bet xl0n,n observed the Major.
"Raise You 3l00" said Huuilcy.
The Major scanned his hand carefully,
looked at his youthful adversary keenly, and
raised II back for the same amount
Raise 10 100 more" said Huntley.
This sort OF thing continued until there were
$1,000 on the table, and the crowd was breath
less with excitement
"rll raise YOU $780, said the Major, III You
viii trust me-
"Rather have the cash. said Huntley.
"Will you take this ring for that amOunt?'
returned the Major, ~ ne pointed 10 a mag
nihcent solitaire diamond he wore, which cost
q
Yes said Huntley. ~ he saw the raise.
"rhcn l'li call. SAID the Major.
Huntley lid down his hAnd. iir bad caught
the other three acres. The ~ .ior had only
four kings, just A. Huntley hal suspected. ii
cost Huntlev f50) 10 treAt the crowd, and
when the Major weHt % Fargo Il was ON bor-
rowcd money.
The fame Of this game spread around the
Territory. ana when Huntiey returned from
ms Trip into the Northwestern Territory ait r
interviewing sitting Boil. he stopped no Far
So on his way East, ard gave Major Edwards
back his riug After dinner 90 liuntey was
about 20 take the train for Sew FORK, On q
Major, mpanied by several Of his friends,
went % the station - see him on.
"By the way, stanley. said he, sse'nce you
left Bismarck they have told come pretty
rough stories about that game Of pokcr wo
piafed.n
"Nhat nrc they"
"They say that deslt myself four Kings
from a cold drck. NOW, / want you 20 tell
those gentlemen that played fair. square
gamr.'
The Major q right" said IIuntley "He
PLAYED 90 honeft game"
Thank, -lAnleyn returned the Major.
''hoN want 10 hsk you one question"
~ wani fo know bow ln the devil you ever
cane % discard fhose four queens dnalf Foufn
"l'ii hHHWrf that, MHl1F.H anta WunnfF.
with "a grin emile. 30 500 wlil TEN mr now
tou kueH had four queeus.'