The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-19
BEATEN AT HIS OWN CAME.
IPhiladelpAia Times,l

Philadelphia Timesl 0sa Benedict Kirk. the king of the Mississippi river gamblers. received his first lessoa h cold decking and stripping at the quaint old town of Washington. Ky. His career was a most eventsul one, and he died poor. One of his favoEite passimes was to down a tellow-gamhles, 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 disgussed with the l" Falls City" aud boarded down-river steamer. It touched at some little town on the Indiana shore, and genuine jay- havker about emigrating to Kansas came aboard. He displayed plenty of money, and Benedict selected him as victim. He formed the fellows acq aaintance, and the jayhawker was deligafed with his new friend. It happened that there was another gambler 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 10 have money"
 About s GOO" answered Kirk.
 Why don't you get itp'
 "I would, bu, lost my last dollar at faro in Louisville"
 Pm pretty we'll fixed" cried the gambler eagerly, displaying large roll of bills and sack of coin. "You play and I'll stake you"
 Agreed" said Benedict. %Give me one hundred to start the game"
 The gambler placed in his hands the required sum, and Kirk rejoined the ln- dianian. When they were alone he leaned forward and said:
 My friend, you are good hearted fellow, and like you. Can you play pokes2"
 "A little"
 Well, suppose we play a game. am Benedict Kirk, and that fellow forward there" nodding toward the other gam oler, "wants me to fleece you. He is going to furnish the money, and after we have been playing awhile 1 will deal you four kings. Discard the useless card and draw another. Then bet every dollar that you have, and l'll see you with money that I1l borrow from my friend up forward. You'll win and we'll divide up."
 The lndianiau had heard of Benedict Kirk and he agreed to go into the game. The gambler who had staked klrk saun- tered up to the table where they were playing, as though out of idle curiosity, and stood SO that he could see Benedicts hand. For half hour the game moved along slowly, the bets being small, Finally Benedict dealt, and when he raised his and the gambler saw that it contained four aces. The lndianian made good his ante and called for one card. Benedict drew one. Then they began to bet, cautiously at first Finally, when 1t vas Benedict's turn, he hesitated and said
 Eve got hand here that would back with million if had it. hate to call you, but I'm afraid shall have to-"
 This was the gamblers cue and he was quick to take it up.
 "Tll loan you any sum to back that hand, my friend," he said, and laid down a roll of notes.
 The betting proceeded, and finally when nearly every dollar of the gambler s money was on the table Kirk called the t0oiAuAan nAhb.
 "Four kings 1" cried the jayhawker, spreading out his hand and reaching for the pot.
 "Hold on therep in,erposed 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, five and seven spot. "Confound the luck 1" cried Kirk, in well simulated astonishment. "I 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 the gamb- ler's shrewd tricks, turned on his heel with an oath and retired to the state- room. The Indianian gathered up his winnings.
 Now comes the funny part of the story" said Kuk, who told me this incl dent himself several years ago. "When got an opportunity to see my jayhawker friend alone and .ked him for my share of the winning he laughed at me" "l won the money and it's mine," he said, but as you are broke don mind giving you back SIoo" saw it was no use arguing the question with the country m an, and took his SIoo.