St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-24
EXPENSIVE BUTTONS.
They Were Worn Once Too Often
Gambler G0nzalO of New Orleans


They Were Worn Once Too Often by
Gambler GonzalO of New Orleans.
New Orleans Times Democrat.
In 1851, when New Orleans was reached
by flatboats, the cargo of apples, hay, corn,
or meats was disposed of as fast as pur-
chasers could be found, after which the
crews looked up the sights particularly the
tiger" OF all the curiosities then to be
found there, they preferred, beyond all
dispute, the tiger. This popular quadruped
was to be seen nowhere in more vigor or
beauty of coat than in the gilded rooms of
the GonZalo Bros. In his saloon GonZalo
was invariably habited in short jacket of
green. closely fitting his rotund body. Down
the front was row of very large buttons
made from Mexican dollars, the front faces
of which were so polished that they re-
flected light as mirrors. Shortly after the
MONDAY lunch had been served in the front
saloon on cool Sunday, tall, gaunt, fiat
boatman sauntered in toward the tables
where little groups were watching with in
tense anxiety the turning up of the cards
by one of the dealers. The game was Mex
ico'S favOrite. monte, and large sums were
scattered on the table. The newcomer was
at once recognized by many of those pres
ent, who saluted him with ''How are you,
BOwerS?"
Bowers nodded pleasantly to the right
and left, and took a seat at one of the ia
bles where GOnZalO was presiding. The
visitor was man who would be cOnspicu-
Gus in any crowd. A quick eye long,
somewhat hooked nose, face bronZed by
exposure and thin, attenuated black
mustache gave him the appearance OF
either frontiersman or a veteran circus
manager. He watched the game closely
for some time, when his eye fell upon the
large silver buttons of Gonzales coat.
These seemed to hold his gaze, for, with
out removing his scrutiny, he moved his
chair directly opposite the little Mexican.
In few minutes smile overspread his
features, and he got up and went to the
bar for drink. Wiping his muStache on
big yellow bandana handkerchief he
stepped behind the table and whispered
something in the MeXican's ear. The little
proprietor bowed graciOusly, saying loud
enough for those around him to hear:
Isl, senior, / play whatever game you
like" They both withdrew toa small ante
room in the rear, which was lighted by
large glass skylight. The smile of Bowers
did not leave his face. 1t seemed to glow
even more radiantly when they sat down
facing each other, and when he took from
his pocket large purse filled with gold it
widened into almost laugh.
EFF you've no objection. pardner," said
Bowers, with somewhat of drawl in his
enunciation, well make it old sledge." At
that time old sledge, known later as seven
up, was tavorite American game. and its
| popularity had penetrated even the wild
woods of the extreme West
''Eet maker not de slight diferans for me
what game eet is" replied the dapper
| GonZalo, as he took new pack of cards
from the hands of a servant.
'.All right. then, old boy; old sledge it is,
and we'll make it for $50 a game" and
Bowers laid his black felt hat on the floor.
The game commenced, and at first Bow
ers lost. This, however, did not disturb
| his eQuanimity in the least. He chewed at
the end of his cigar, as was his habit, ran
his hand through his long. black hair,
played with a large seal ring that adorned
his left little finger, and still smiled. A
few idlerS drifted back to where they were
| playing, but the two antagonists were so
quiet that they lost interest and went back
to more enlivening games.
Bowers after some time began to win. At
first every second game; then two out OF
every three. The Mexican sent for another
pack of cards, as he said Ito change de
luck" After Bowers had examined them
critically he accepted them as fair and
square pasteboards"
The flatboatman did moi move one inch
in his char. He seemed as rigid as if
carved of stone. Facing his opponent. he
kept his eye fixed on the handsome green
jacket of the proprietor and the silver but
tons. They appeared to have some fascina-
ton for the rough river man. Gonzalo sat
liStleSsly in his seat evldencing but little
interest in the game. His cards he held
low as his hand rested on the table. -er-
At o'clock in the afternoon Bowers was
81, 500 ahead. and that Mexican had awak-
ened to decided interest in the game. He
proposed to increase the bet to 500 on each
game, which offer was promptly accepted.
The other tables had become deserted now,
and there was crowd gathered about the
two players. Side bets were offered on each
game by the spectators. and the excitement
was growing intense.
Bowers paid no heed to those around him.
He had come. he said, Ito get all the honey
out of the gum tree, and he was a-goin' to
do it."
At $3.50 he had won $4,000, and at 4
o'clock, when he called for a drink, he was
81, 600 in gold ahead.
GonzalO was somewhat pale, but there
was not tremOr in his hand. He explained
that they had reached nearly the limit of
his pie, but would play two more hands
for $500 each. Bowers won both. The
Mexican rose from the table and shook
hands with his antagonist, and both ad-
journed to take glass of wine together
Bowers received the admiring glances of
the crowd as he strolled leisurely out of the
saloon, still chewing his cigar.
The game was the talk of the town for a
number of days, and GonZalO was leased
considerably about it by his comrades. All
this seemed as nothing. however, when he
received a note, written in bold. scraggy
hand, saying:
"PARDNER: Els too good to keep, so
I'll tell ct to you. When you play with a
Gringo take off that ar green coat and sill
yer buttons. l seen every hand you held
rite in one of those buttons, like looking
inter looking-glass. Much 'bliged for the
cash, all the same. Your still deth,
BOWERS"
Crumbs From the Rich Mans Table.
st. James Gazette.
A Il