The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-08-27
BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME.
Benedict Kinks sad Experience with a
CountrNman from Indiann.

Countryman from Indiana.
Old Benedict Kirk, the king OF the
Mississippi River gamblers, received
his first lesson in cold decking and
stripping at the quaint old Town Of
Washington. Ky. His career was a
! most eventful one, and he died poor.
One of his favorite pastimes was to
down fellow-gambler, usually by
combining with him to fleece an out
slider, and then giving away the game.
Once he found himself in Louisville,
after protracted siege at faro with
out 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 emil
grating to Kansas came aboard. He
displayed plenty of money, and Bene-
diet selected him as a victim. He
formed the fellows acquaintance, and
the iayhawker was delighted with his
new friend. 1t 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 to have
money"
About S5,000," answered Kirk.
''Why don't you get it?"
Il would, but lost my last dollar
at faro in Louisville"
Pm pretty well fixed" cried the
gambler eagerly, displaying large
roll of bills and a sack of coin. You
play and III 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
Indianian. When they were alone he
leaned forward and said:
my friend, you are a good-hearted
fellow, and like you. Can you play
poker?"
"a little"
''Well, suppose we play game.
am Benedict Kirk, aud 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 Pil borrow
from my friend up forward. You'll
win and we'll divide up.'
The Indianian had heard of Benedict
Kirk and he agreed to 90 into the
game. The gambler who had staked
Kirk sauntered up to the table where
they were playing, as though out Of
idle curiosity, and stood so that he
could see Benedict's hand. For 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 Indianian 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's turn. he hesitated and
SaIU:
.Tve got hand here that l would
back with a million if 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 up.
'rll loan you any sum to back that
hand, my friend" he said, and laid
down a roll of notes.
1uc pctIIdS piOSSCuCN, dEd hHd1ly
when nearly every dollar of the gamb-
ler's money was on the table Kirk
called the lndianian's hand
-Four kingsw cried the jayhawker,
spreading out his hand and reaching
for the pot
Hold on there!' interposed the
gambler, who had been backing Kirk.
This hand beats yours. Four acesn'
Kirk turned up his cards, but to the
surprise and disgust of the gambler
there were three aces, five and a
seven spot.
.'Confound the luck!' cried Kirk, in
well simulated astonishment. Il 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 great gamblers shrewd tricks,
turned on his heel with an oath aud re-
tired to his stateroom. The Indianian
gathered up his winnings.
Now comes tho funny part of the
story" said Kirk, who told ,He this in
cident himself several years ago.
when got an opportunity to see my
jayhawker friend alone and asked him
for my share of the winning he laughed
at me"
Il won the money, and it's mine,
he said, 'but as YOU are broke | don t
mind giving you back 500" saw it
was no use arguing the question with
the countryman, and L took his 500.
PhtLadetphia Times.