Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-05
ATALE OF. TRUTH.
In Which the Fascinating but Seductive
Game Of Poker Figures.

black bore q sactimonial cut. A plaintive-
ness in his voice ipsiduated the charitable
ness of him who controlled it. He stood
with hesitationin his mannerb by the double
seat, half OF which l occupied and looked
w~istfully at the unoccupied hall. Isympa-
thixed with him in his humility, and in
formed him without his asking, that the
other half was at his disposal. He took
the proifered seat expressing his grateful
ness in a profusion OF apologies and thanks.
We were in the train that had just left
Melrose for Butte, and were soon engaged
in conversation from which I cleaned his
name was Josiah Tomlinson, and that he
was President Of the Relief Association Of
Widows and Orphans of Nebraska, and his
mission to Butte was to;establish a similar
institution in Montana.
As we neared the greatest Of mining
camps he enquired: 'Are the, people Of
Butte liberal towards charitable objects??"
Generally, yes,"I replied, especially the
gambling fraternity" Ny reply brought a
look that partook OF horror into his face,
which waned to q meditative frown as he
observed: singular that these people who
follow the least respectable OF professions
should be the most liberal in the grandest
of virtues"
"There are many" I said, who gamble
and experience no degradation OF their bet
ter qualities by INDUCING in the interesting
pastime."
How he inquired, 'can men with no.
BILE instincts take from their fellow-men
without giving some substantial return?
How car a man Of generous motives relish
a pastime where every atom of joy he at
tains is only through a corresponding
amount OF pain to his friend"
-"Y u exagserate the situation" | an
swered. 1T is only the novitiate who is
guilty OF excessive Joy or pain over varying
results. Custom SO dulls the sensibilities
that winnings and losings are eventually
made without show OF either elation or re-
gret. Although money is ostensibly the
main object of the play, the penchant to
crafty the inordinate vanity Of some play
ers in their desire to superior judg-
ment and generalship often forms a motive
equally grea'. l can show you prosperous
men-fathers Of bright, happy children,
with beautiful, loving wives at home-sit-
ting at a table in the enjoyment of gam
ing"
II should, indeed, like to witness such a
game, even, if only to discover the new
light you throw upon it; and 1 may here
after Judge OF that class OF mankind with a
more tolerating spirit"
k.TR -o,, ,r:11 MI ho %oo fseoI this o1yoO.
ing, 1 suggested, II will be pleased to graf
ify you by introducing you to a party OF
gentlemen whom we are apt to find exercis-
ing their ingenuity to the full, playing
poker"
Thank you," he rejoined, Twill gladly
accompany, purely for the sake of the self
instruction l will acquire and not from any
sordid motives OF idle curiosity"
THE FESTIVE GAME.
The same evening l piloted him to a
aeclusive room in a large building where
we found four gentlemen, to whom / intro
duced him, sitting at q round table engaged
in that peculiarly American of games
poker.
The fluctuations in the game for q tedious
hour were slight, and the players acted
| with indifference, yet the President watched
it's progress with considerable interest.
Then a play came up which lighted the
faces OF all with anxious expectancy.
The President and stood where we could
look into the cards OF Nos. 1 and 4 OF the
players. No. 1 held three aces. He delib-
Grated a moment and argued that to pass
would give him q chance for a more favor
able play. Al he passed a feeling OF solici-
tude for his three aces-a hope that they
would not be passed out-entered his
nature. Solicitude increased to apprehen-
sion when No. 2 passed. and apprehension
swelled to dismay when No. 3 passed, and
dismay augmented to absolute anguish
when No. 4 made q break to throw his
hand to the deck. But it was only a feint.
Avaricious reasoning told him he might
win the ante by merely checking, although
his cards did not justify such action. This
and his trustfulness in a vague bunch
so encouraged him that he finally checked.
We (the President and myself saw there
was not even a pair in the cards held by
No. 4, their only claim to consideration
being in an ace ard king OF the same suit,
hearts.
With what a delightful revulsion OF feel
ing did No. l observe No. place his check
to the centre! Only those who, through re-
peated and persistent struggles, have fol
lowed some great aim in life and when at
last defeat seemed most imminent had
their purpose suddenly blossom into unex-
pected success, can measure the silent now
of qualification that was now gliding
through his enraptured senses. He cloaked
these exultant feelings with something akin
to a forlorn expression as he obviously
looked at his "hand." With nervousness
depicted IN his manner he called the
check, and then, with a timid maneuvre,
rendered a moderate "raise" for his OPP
ponent's consideration.
This UNLOCKED for recoil set No. 4 to
c~ogitating. He knew his cards were worth
less unless he made a scratch draw; but
suspicioning that No. l was trying to win
by force OF capital instead OF strength OF
hand, he decided to 'see'' the raise and in
v~estigate further Developments.
No. l fumbled among his cards asif unde'
cided whether TO draw four, three or two,
and finally settled to the expedient OF draw
ing only one. His opponent drew three
No. l knew the best his opponent could
possibly have before the draw was a pail
OF kings; that the chances were several tt
one he would not help to even a pair, and
many more to one he would not draw hi.
man."
But wen il he did draw his man it would
only lead him into deeper trouble, as three
aces would still be the leading hand.
1 have had a strange sensation CREEP
over me when watching q big cat amus'
herself with a tiny ouse by allowing il
) to escape from her for a couple OF feet, re
; capturing it by a gentle pressure OF he
: paw, then giving it another such chance fol
} freedom, and 80 on until her rapacity fol
e this kind OF entertainment had beer
} satiated, when there wonld be an audible
: crack like the breaking Of a slender bacl