Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-26
A HOT COLD DECK.
A Poker Story of Early Days on the
Pacific Coast.

Il sN(tlAC NNASNs
From tbs Ne,o Yo,h Sun.
VIRGINIA CITY, May 20.-Observing of
late in Eastern papers many sporting an
ecdOtes. have been reminded of lively
game which actually occurred just as re-
lated in the flush times OF placer mining
In California, and which think will in
terest some of the sports Of the Atlantic
States, where now are not a few Of our
old timers, many of whom will remember
the names of the persons shall mention.
In the early days OF CalilOrnia--in the
good Old times before the ranchmen and
Judge sawyer came with their injunc-
tlOns TO put a stop to hydraulic mining,
and stopper on the men OF the noun
tains who first lifted California out Of the
hide and tallow trade aud placed Der in
the sisterho0d OF States-in those days
when the honest miner was digging his
bushels of money out of the gulches and
hills, and making life possible and profit
able 70 those on the ranches in the val
leys, gold coin and gold dust were not
held with the thrOttling grasp character
istic Of this horticultural and blcOlic era.
Then the eager and alert eye OF the calcu-
lat g rancber sought out the miner as he
descended from the heights OF the Sierras,
and his hand was extended in welcome
while the man OF nuggets and ''chispas"
was still afar off.
In those days Of old, and days Of gold"
Reddy 81 Andrews Tom Andrews, man
well known to the Oid-tina Pacific coast
sports owned Immensely rich dlggings at
Forest City, Sierra county. They fire.
quently cleaned up from $4,000 to $780,
coo at one time. When a clean up was
made one OF the partners would take the
dust to San Francisco to the mint.
In IN thn.n trims fbaU nnnnYQI lV
took turns. 1t was before the days of the
railroad5-waS in the Old, romantic. So
ciable. happy times of the steamer lines
on the rivers of he Golden STATE. 1t was
the habit of the partners on getting off the
rolling, humping mountain coach, TO
stay over night at Sacramento, taking
the boat the next afternoon at , O'Clock
Tor san Francisco.
When it was the turn Of Andrews to 60
down to the bay with the dust, he fire.
quently did battle with the tiger while
lying over at Sacramento, but Reddy's
strong suit was poker. Three aces was
mis- big hand. When he held three aces
he would bet bis "b0ttom dollar and go
his flyer and lights blind" This was 50
we'll known that it had passed into a
prOverb among the Sacramento sports.
On one occasion, when Reddy had been
playing all night with some Sacramento
men and quit S.. 900 ahead of the game, ii
was concluded to follow him up. In pur-
suance OF this plan, some OF the sports
with whom be had spent the night-Char-
ley Dawson among the number-told
Reddy that they had concluded, just for
the fun of the thing. to take little run
with him down to the bay.
The boat had not proceeded far down the
river before. as the most natural thing in
the world, poker game was started. In
the game were Reddy, Foster, q hotel
keeper from one OF the Southern counties,
Charley Dawson, and two other sports.
A Job had been put up TO raise a cold
deck, and give Reddy his favOrite hand OF
three aces. The game proceeded, and al
the proper time Dawson raised the deck
The cards were dealt and Reddy got his
three aces. Dawson three kings, and the
Others Indifferent bands. In the draw
Dawson got the other king, Reddy drew
two cards, but having his three aces be
telt-strOng enough to fight an army, anC
did not pick up or look at the two cards
he had drawn.
Betting began and Foster and the two
sports with Dawson did not come in.
Having four kings, and being confident
that Reddy had only his three aces, Daw.
son went in strong; aud, having his three
aces, Reddy felt that nothing could whiI
him. He was go sure that he was right
that he paid no attention to the cards lying
by his side, which he had gotten in the
draw.
The betting very shortly became red
hot. Most of the lOungers about the boat
were soon gathered around the two men
watching the game with breathless in
terest
Among the lOOkers-on was Domingo
Joe, a nervous and restless little sport
WHO was DawsOn's friend and chum.
Joe-a Portuguese or Spaniard-was skip
ping back and forth in the restless way
that seems Characteristic of understood
Observation-Disclosures over the should
ers of the two men at their cards rs often
as an opportunity offered, mis- eyes spark.
ling and dancing with excitement. he
felt pretty confident that the cards had
been properly stocked, yet be would have
given whole handfuls Of gold for single
peep ri those which Reddy had not vet
picked up.
Several thousand dollars had already
been bet, and finally, as a stumper, Daw-
son went s. 600 better. Reddy promptly
saw the raise, and said: 81 go you An
other 50 600 better!"
Quite absent-miDdedly he then pic ked
mp the two cards that mad all the time
been living uuuoticed by bis side.
The weasel eyeof Domingo Joe detected
nc OtHEE dfC - tnt thihe htA6 liAAtN.
Instantly an ashy pailor spread over his
weazeu YIsage 10 was almost as though
ne mad been stricken with death.
However, the stroke paralyzed him for
only moment. Almost instantly be re.
covered his selCposscssion, and, thrust.
ing both hands into his trousers pockets
and assuming an Indifferent air, be
sheered of from the party. Carelessly
sauntering up and down the boat he be-
gan singing;
Aud the other fel' in too. bows
And the other fell in there, too.
This was enough for Dawson. The
words Of Domingo Joe's pretended song
came to his ears as death knell. He
turned pale, then red, threw down his
cards. and said: "rske II ALL squeal 20
AS Reddy raked down the whole pile he
threw glance around the circle OF pale
and silent spectators, and sang, as though
To- aas.aN