Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-22
BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME.

BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME.
Old Benedict Kirk, the king of the Missis
sippi river gamblers, received his first les
sons in cold decking and stripping at The
quaint old town of Washington, KY. Hi:
career was O most eventful one, and he deG
poor. One of his favorite pastimes was tC
down u fellow gambler, usually by combin'
ing with him to fleece an outsider, and then
giving away the game.
Once he found himself at Louisville, after
protracted siege at faro, without dollar
He became disgusted with the Falls City
and boarded a down river steamer. 1t
touched at some little town on the Indiana
shore, and genuine jayhawker about emf
grating to Kansas came aboard. He dis
played plenty of money and Benedict select
| ed him as victim. He formed the efellow's
acquaintance, and the jayhawker was de,
| lighted with his new friend. 1t happened
| that there was another gambler aboard the
| boat, and he, too, cast envious eyes upon the
Indanian. He knew Benedict Kirk, and
called the great gambler aside.
Benedict" he said. pointing to the In
dianian, "your friend seems to have money"
"About S5000," answered Kirk.
"Why don't you get it?"
"I would, but lost my last dollar at faro
in Louisville"
"I'm pretty we'll fxed," cried the gam
bier, 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 ro.
quired sum, and Kirk rejoined the Indian
ian. When they were alone he leaned for
ward and said:
my friend, you are a good-hearted fell
low, and like you. Can you play poker ~
IA little"
"Well, suppose we play game. am
Benedict Kirk; and that fellow forward
there" nodding toward the other gambler,
wants me to fleece you. He is going to
furnish the money and after we have been
playing awhile l will deal you four kings.
Discard the useless card and draw another.
Then bet every dollar that you have, and
I'll see you with money that I'll borrow
from my friend up forward. You'll win,
and we'll divide up.'
The Indanian had heard of Benedict Kirk
and he agreed to go into the .gume. The
gambler who had staked Kirk sauntered up
| to the table where they were playing, as
| lUOUpu OUT Vi lul0 CQllOSiVS, eIhN oSooSa ~
| that he could see Benedict's hand. For o
half hour the game moved along slowly, the
bets being small. Finally Benedict dealt,
and when he raised his hand the gambler
saw that it contained four aces. The In
dianian made good his ante and called for
one card. Benedict drew one. Then they
began to bet, cautiously at first. Finally,
| when it was Benedict'5 turn, be hesitated
and said:
"I'ye got hand here that I would back
with million if I had it. hate to call
you, but I'm afraid l shall have to-"
This was the gamblers cue, and he was
quick to take it uD.
"I'll 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 gamblers money
was on the table Kirk called the Indianan's
hand.
"Four kings!" cried the jayhawker
spreading out his hands end reaching ioi
the pot.
Hold on, there!" interposed the gamb.
Ter, who had been backing Kirk. "This hand
beats yours. Four acesw
Kirk turned up his cards, but to the sur
prise and disgust of the gambler, there were
three aces, a five and seven spot.
"Confound the luck !" cried Kirk, in we'll
simulated astonishment. II discarded the
wrong card
The gambler, not daring to accuse Kirl
of double dealing, but confident that he hae
been made the victim of one of the grea
gamblers shrewd tricks, turned on his hee
with an oath and retired to his stateroom
The Indianian gathered up his winnings.
"Now comes the funny part of the story,
said Kirk, who told me this incident him
self several years ago. when got an op
portunity to see my jayhawker friend alone
and asked him for my share of the winning
be laughed at me.
"I won the money, and it's mine b
said but as you are broke l don't min'
giving you back $780, I saw it was no US
arguing the question with the countryman
and took his $780, I never saw him al
terward, but he was the only man that eve
got the best of me at my own game. ."-Phal
adelphia Times.