The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-12
THREW AWAY FOUR QUEENS.
lExchanPe.I

One of the most famous games of poker ever played in the northwest was be- tween the late Stanley Huntley and Ma jor A. w. Edwards, the editor and pro- prietor of the Fargo ArgHs. Mir. Hunt ley had not been making much money out of the Bismarck 7ribHHe, and when he was taken sick aud was unable to at- tend to business for several months, his affairs became so entangled that he de- termined to sell out bis share in the pa .. per. AS the Tribune was the only paper Tn Bismarck at that time, and as there was a strong political ring in the county, he had hopes of disposing of his property to the politicians but fearing that he might fail to do so, he dropped line to Major Edwards asking him to buy his paper Major Edwards had made fortune out of hjs own paper, and, as he was ambi- tous to own more papers, he promptly responded to the letter by drawing S2- 900 from bank and taking the first train for BIsnarck. Waen he reached that city he found that the trade with the poli,i- clans had been made, and Huntley had come out of his diff culties with several hundred dollars III cool cash. 1t was several hours before the return train left, and, having nothing else to do, the ma Jor suggested that they play a game of poker at S ante.
 The major's fame as a poker player vas not confined alone to Fargo. He was recognized throughout the territory as the best poker player in the mort Invest, and when 1t became nolsed about town that he and Huntley were to play for large stakes there was no saloon in the pla large enough to accommodate the crowd, and the game was moved te the town hall over the engine house.
 The game began at noon and contin- ued until two o'clock, with varying suc- cess. At last there was jlck pot con- talning S2oo on the table, and it was Major Edwards deal. Wien MT. Hunt ley picked up his hand he saw that he held four queens and an ace. He was surprised. Cards had not been running we'll enough to justify such luck. He saw the major throw away one card and hold fur.
 How much do you open it for ?n asked the major nonchalantly
 Huntley stopped moment to think and then replied calmly:
 don't open it."
 We'll, will" said the major.
 For how much '" asked Huntley.
 For $ioo. {" replied the major.
 All nght," said Huntley, throwing away his four queens and keeping his ace, I'll come tn. Give me four cards"
 With a glance of increduIity and pity the maJo or dealt them, and took one him. self
 I'll bet SIoo." observed the major.
 " Raise you $Ioo." said Huntley.
 The maJor sc canned his hand carefully, looked at his youthful adversary keenly and raised it back for the same amount.
 " Raise it SIoo m pre-" said Huntley.
 Ihls sort of thing continued until there was Se 400 on the table, and the crowd was breathless with excitement.
 I'll raise you $5oo," said the major, " if you will trust me-"
 Rather have the cash" said Hunt. ley.
 "Will you take this ring for that amount 7" returned the m aior, as he pointed to magnificent solitaire dia. nond he wore, which cost him SI 900 in | Chicago.
 Yes," said Huntley, as he saw the raise.
 Then I'll call" said the major.
 Huntley laid down his hand. He had caught the other three aces. The major only four kings, just as Huntley had suspected, It cost Huntley $500 to treat the crowd, and when the m.j ,r lett for Fargo 1t was on borrowed monev.
 The fame of this game spread around the territory, and when Huntley returned from his trip into the northwe territory, after interviewing Sitting Bull, he stopped at Fargo on his way east, and gave Ma or Edwards back his ring. After dinner, as Huntley was about to take the train Tor New York, the major, accompanied by several of his friends, went to the sta- ton to see him eff.
 By the way, Stanley" said he, "since you have left Bismarck they have told some pretty rough stories about that anne of poker we played"
 What were they?" They say that dealt myself four kings rom cold deck. N6w, want you to ell these gentlemen that played fair, quare game"
 The major is right" said Huntley. He played an honest game"
 Thanks, Stanley" returned the major. Now want to ask you one question:
 All right"
 want to know how in the devil you .ver came to discard those four queens l iealt you2"
 I'll answer that, major" said Hunt ey. with grim smile, "i if you will tell ne how you knew had four queens"