The Sunday herald., 1886-11-28
EXPENSIVE BUTTONS.
They Were Worn Once Two Often ny
Gambler taOnzalO of New Orleans.

In 1851, when New Orleans was reached by fiat
boats the cargo OF apples, hay, corn, or meats WAS
after which the crews looked up the local sights,
particularly the tiger or all the curosities then TO
the "tger." This popular qundruped was to be seen
nowhere In more vlgor or beauty OF coat than In
the gded rooms OF Gonznlo Bros m In his saloon
green, closely fitting his rotund body Down the
front was a row of very large buttons made from
polished that they reflected light mirrors Shortly
MONDAY lunch had been served the front
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
MeXicO'B fayOrite, monte, ami large sums were
| scattered about the table. The new conner was at
once recognized by many OF those present, who sa-
Bowers nodded pleasantly 10 the right ana left,
and took seat at one of the tables where Gonzalo
was presiding. The visitor was man who would
be conspicuous in any crowd. A quick eye, long,
| somewhat hooked nose, face bronzed ny exposure,
and thin, attenuated black mustache gave him
tho appearance Of either frOntiersman or a vet
Gran circus manager. lie watched the game closely
for some time, when his eye fell upon the large sl-
| hold his gaze, for, without removing his scrutiny,
he moved his chair directly opposite the little Mex
turcs and he got up went to the bar for drink
Wiping his mlstache on a big yellow bandana
handkerchief, he stepped behind the table and whis-
proprietor bowed graclously, saying loud enough for
those around him 10 hear:
i
both Withdrew to a small ante-roOm In the rear,
which was lighted by large glass skylght. The
to glow even more radlantly when they sat down
facing each other, and when he took from his pocket
large purse filled with gold II wldened Into almost
"Ef you've no objections, pardner," said bowers,
with somewhat OF q drawl In his ennncation, "we'll
later as seven up, was u favOrte American game,
aud Its popularity pop mad p penetrated even the wild
"Eet maker not do slight dferans for me what
game Get H." replied the dapper GonzalO ss he took
o new pack ofcards from tho hands OF a servant.
"All right. then, old boy; old sledge II IL, and
wen make 1t for $50 game," and Bowers laid his
black felt hat on the fioor.
This. however, did not disturb his eguanimty In
the least. lie chewed at the end Of his cigar, az
s habit ran his hand through ms s1Ss
left little finger, and still smiled. A few idlerf
drlfted back e where they were playing. but the
two antagonists were 80 quet that they lost Interest
| and went back to more enlivening games
Bowers after some time began 10 wln At frs,
The Mexican sent for another pack OF cards. as ht
. said, "to change do luck" After bowers had OK,
smned them critically he accepted them as "iail
The fat-,oatman did not move one Inch In hi
, char. He seemed AZ rigid AZ II carved OF stone
Facing his opponent, he kept hlS eye fixed on tho
/ handsome green Jacket OF the proprietor and th'
, silver buttons They appeared to have some fasci.
essly In hs seat evldencing but little interest In tht
game, His cards he held low az his hand rested oI
tho table.
4, At . O'Clock In the afternoon Bowers was 81 ,sO
ahead, and the Mexican had awakened to u declie'
interest In the game. lie proposed TO Increase III,
bet TO 300 on each game which offer prompt!
e accepted. The other tables had become deserted
nOw and there was a crowd gathered about the twt
players. Side bets were offered on each game b,
the spectators, and the excitement was growing In
tense.
Bowers paid no heed to those around him. II,
had come he said, to get all tho honey out OF IN,
h gum tree, and he was a-gOn to do It,"
AT $50 he had won 81, ,6O0 and at O'Clock, wheI
he called for drink he was 81 900 In gold ahead.
GOnzalo was somewhat pale, but there was not
tremor IN his hand. lie explained that they ha,
reached nearly the limits OF his pile hut would pal
two more hands for $500 each. Bowers won both
The Mexican rose from the table and shook hand
t. with his antagonist, and both adjourned 10 take
glass OF wine together. Bowers received the admir-
i Ing glances Of the crowd as he srOed lesurely gu
y OF the saloon still chewing his cigar
The game was the talk Of the town for numbe
OF days, and Gonzalo was teased considerably abou
= II by his comrades. All this seemed as nothing
a however, when he received note written In u bold
a scraggy hand saving:
"pARDSRR: Et's 10 good TO keep, no III tell ct 4
. you. When you play with 6ringO take OIL that u
i green coat ana silver buttons. / seen every ham
v YOU held rite In one OF those buttous, like lookup
inter q lookng-glasa Much bliged for the cash, nj
the same. Yours I'LL deth, BOWERS"