Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-10-10
HE THREW AWAY FOUR
QUEENS.
Stanley Huntley's Extraordinary Luck In
Poker Game at Bismarck.

Poker Game at Bismarck.
One of tho most famous games of
poker YER played in tho Northwest
was between the late Stanley Huntley
and Maj. A. w. Edwards. the editor
and proprietor of the Fargo Arqus.
Nj. Huntley had not been making
much money out of the Bismarck 1rt-
dune. and when he was taken sick and
was unable to attend to business for
several months, his affairs became so
entangled that he determined to sell
out his share in the paper. As the 1ai-
bune was the only paper in Bismarck
at that time, and as there was q 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 a line
to Maj. Edwards asking him to buy his
paper. Maj. Edwards had made a
fortune out of his W paper, and. as
he was ambitious to own more papers,
he promptly responded to the letter by
drawing 50, 600 from the bank and TAX
ing the first train for Bismarck. When
he reached that city he found that the
trade with the politicians was made,
and Huntley had come out of his diff
culties with several hundred dollars in
cool cash. 1t was several hours before
the return train loft, and, having moth
ing else to do, the Major suggested
that they play a game of poker at IS
ante.
The Majors fame as a poker player
was not confined alone to Fargo. He
was recognized throughout the Terri
tory as the best player in the North
west, and when it became noised about
the town that he and Huntley were to
play for large stakes there was no sa-
loon in the place large enough to &C
commodate the crowd, and the game
was moved to the town-hall, over tho
engine-house.
The game began at noon and contin-
ued until 2 O'Clock, with varying sue
cess. AT last there was a jackpot
containing 5000 or the table, and it
was Mai. Edwards deal. When Mr..
Huntley picked up his hand he saw
that he held four queens aud an ace.
He was surprised. Cards had not been
running we'll enough to justify such
luck. lie saw the Major throw away
OAo CNLu anu uOlu AOAI.
'How much do you open it forp"
aasked the Major nonchalantly.
Huntley stopped II moment to think,
and then replied calmly:
Il don't open it,"
''Well, l will,' said the Major.
'.For how much?' asked Huutley.
For $780," replied the Major.
"All right" said Huntley, throwing
away his four queens and keeping his
ace, ''Ill come in. Give me four
cards."
With a glance of incredulity and pity
the Major dealt them and took one
himself.
''l'll bet $780," observed the Major.
'.Raise you $780," said Huntley.
The Major scanned his hand care
fully. looked at his youthful adversary
keenly, and raised it back for the same
amount.
"Raise it 800 MORE" said Huntley.
This sort Of thing continued until
there were 81, 400 on the table, and
tho crowd was breathless with excite-
ment.
"l'll raise you $780," said the Major,
IF you will trust me-"
''Ratuer have the cash." said Hunt
10y.
"Will you take this ring for that
amount?' returned the Major, as be
pointed to q magnificent solitaire dia-
mond he wore, which cost him 81, OOO
in Chicago.
YES" said Huntley, as he saw the
raise.
Then III CALI" said the Major.
Huntley laid down his hand. He
had caught the other three aces. The
Major had only four kings, Just as
Hunticy had suspected. IL cost Hunt.
ley $500 to treat the crowd, and when
the Major left for Fargo it was on Dor.
rowed money.
The fame of this game spread around
the Territory, and wuen Huntley re-
turned from his trip into the North
west Territory, after interviewing Sit.
ting Bull, he stopped at Fargo on his
way East, and gave Maj. Edwards back
his ring. After dinner, as Huntley was
about to take the train for New York,
the Major, accompanied by several Of
his friends, went to the station to see
him off.
Ky the way, Stanley" said he,
"since you left Bismarck they have
told some pretty rough stories about
that game of poker we played"
What are theyP"
"They say that l dealt myself four
kings from a cold deck. Now, I want
you to tell these gentlemen that l play.
ed q fair, square game"
The Major is right" said Huntley.
"He played an honest game"
Thanks. Stanley" returned the
Major. Nov, l want to ask you one
question"
~"All right"
Il want to know how in the devi
you eve came to discard those fou,
queens l dealt you?"
"I'll answer that, Major." said Hunt.
ley, with a grim smile. ..if you will tell
me how you knew had four queens
~ \. Sun.