Evening star., 1886-11-27
Expensive Buttons.
They We're Worn Once Too Often by

From the New Orleans Times-Democrat.
In 1851, when New Orleans was reached by
datboats, the cargo of apples, hay. corn, or
meats was disposed of as fast as purchasers
could be found, after which the crews looked
up the local sights, particularly the "tiger."
OF all the curiosities then to be found there they
preferred, beyond all dispute, the tiger. This
popular quaoruped was to be seen nowhere in
more vigor or beauty of coat than in the gilded
rooms of the GonzalO Bros. In his saloon Con.
zalo was invariably habited in a short Jacket of
green, closely fitting his rOtund body. Down
the front was row of very large buttons made
were so polished that they reflected light as
mirrors. Shortly after the noonday lunch had
been served in the front saloon on a cool Sun
day, tall, gaunt, flatboatman sauntered in
toward the tables where little groups were
watching with intense anxiety the turning up
of the cards, by one of the dealers. The game
was Mexco's favorite, monte and large sums
were scattered about the table. The newcomer
was was at ate once recognized by many of those pres
ent, who saluted him with "HOW are you. Bow
bowers nodded pleasantly ts the right and
GOnZalO was presiding. The visitor was a man
VINO would be conspicuous in any crowd. A
quick eye, long. somewhat hooked nose, a face
brOnZed by exposure, and thin, attenuated
black mOustaohe gave him the appearance of
either q frontiersman or a veteran circus man.
ager He watched the game closely for some
time, wnen his eye fell upon the large silver
buttons on GonzalO's coat. These seemed to
hold his gaze. for, without removing his scru-
tiny, he moved his chair directly opposite the
little Mexican. In few minutes q smile over
| spread his features, and he got up and went to
| the bar Tor drink. Wiping his moustache on
| a big yellow bandana handkerchief he stepped
behind the table and whispered something in
the Mexican 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 to q small ante-roon in
the rear, which was lighted by a large glass
skylight. The smile OF Bowers did not leave
his face. 1t seemed TO glow even more radiantly
fhay
and when he took from his pocket a large
purse filled with gold it widened into almost a
laugh.
Bowers, with somewhat Of ilrawl in his enun-
ciation, 1--WE IL make it old sledge.' At that
time old sedge, known later as seven up was a
| iavorite American game, and it's popularity
had penetrated even the wild woods OF the ex-
treme west.
"Eet maker not de Slight diferans forme what
game eet is," replied the dapper GonzalO as
he took new pack OF cards from the hands Of
IAN right, then, old boy; old sledge it is and
We'il make 1T for $50 game" !" and Bowers laid
| his black felt hat on the floor.
The game commenced, and at first Bowers
lost. This, however, did not disturb his eQua-
nimity 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 q large seal
ring that adorned his left little finger, and still
smiled. lew 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
4 DOWcIS aIteT SOME ume began TO win. At
| hrst every second game; then two ont of every
| three. The Mexican sent for another pack Of
cards. as he said, "to change de luck" After
| Bowers had examined them critically he ac-
cepted them as "fair and square pasteboards' -
| The hatbOatman did not move one inch i'm his
chair. 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 buttons. They appeared to nave
| some fascination for the rough river man. Com
Zalo sat listlessly in his seat evidencing but
| little interest IN the game. His cards he held
| low as his hand rested on the table.
| At O'Clock in the afternoon Bowers was
81 800 ahead, and that Mexican had awakened
| to decided interest in the game. He proposed
offer was promptly accepted. The other tables
had become deserted now, and there was q
| crowd gathered about the two Players Side
| bets were offered on each game by the specta-
| tors, and the excitement was growing intense
| Bowers paid no heed to those around him. He
had come, he said, "to get all the honey out OF
| AT $3.50 he had won s., GOO, and at o'clock.
when he called for a drink, he was $4,000 in
gold ahead.
Gonzalo was somewhat pale. but there was
| not II treInor in his hand. He explained that
they had reached nearly the limits of his pile,
| but would play two more hands Tor $500 each.
| Bowers won both. The Mexican rose from the
| table and shook hands with his antagonist and
both adjourned 10 take q glass Of wine together.
Bowers received the aduiring glances OF the
| crowd as he strOled eisurely out Of the saloon,
| still chewing his cigar.
The game was the talk of the town for q mum.
Der of days. and GonZalo was teased consdera-
| bly, about II by his comrades. All this seemed
as nothing, however, when he received q note
written in a bold, scraggy hand, saying:
'PARDNER: Els too good to keep, SO I'll tell
| ct TO You. When you play with a Gringo take
of that ar green coat aud silver buttons. seen
| every hand you held rite in one of those but.
| tons, like looking inter q loOkipggiass. Much
bliged for the cash, all the same. Yours till
deth, BowEEs"