Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1886-07-02

"GRIP" ON THE JACK POT.

II see that you are printing poker
stories," said an old sport. "Well, here
is one that may prove interesting.
"Do you remember Dick Thompson,
Iron-Jawed Dickr No? Well no mat.
ter, he died when you were baby. but
in his time no man was better known
along the river from st. Louis to New
Orleans. lie was, in my opinion, the
greatest gambler that ever lived. In the
matter of money won or lost the great
est gambler Of tho present day would be
mere tin horns compared with him.
HE operated exclusively upon tho
steamboats,, which. in those days, were
regular floating gambling bells, in which
a man could get any kind Of game he
wanted at any time Of the day or night.
Thonlpson travelled regularlg upon one Of
the finest packets and wds IIe pct Of tiic
boat from the captain to the deck -hands
Many time after big winning he
would sit forward on the cabin deck and
chuck eagles and double-cagles to the
deck hands below, just for the fun of
seeing them scramble and fight
"IIe played the back country planter
racket. He would get on at some way
landing, dressed in fashioned cloth
ing covered with a linen buster and wear
ing a tall, old wido-brimmed hat, with
niger carrying an antique carpet sack
that looked as if it might have been in
the ark. He always carried huge sum
Of money with him sufficient to down any
opponent in the terrible old no limit
game. Ic would generally bide his
time. select his game, and in few hours
would be richer by several thousand dol
lars, with maybe plantation or a bunch
Of slaves to boot.
"One day took passage for New Or
leans Just after Vicksburg had fallen. At
Cairo Thompson came aboard, and being
old friends we had bottle of wine to-
gether. although he rarely drank.
GLOW are the chances y he asked,
looking critically at the passengers.
Il hadn't played any, SO | couldn't
tell him, but noticed that he singled
out u pale, wcll-dressed young man, who
looked us il he might be the son of a
well-to-do merchant or planter. That
night, as | went into the cabin after en-
joying cigar on deck, Thompson and
the young fellow we're playing | stopped
and watched the play. 1t was not heavy
game by any means, and for an hour I
hardly think $500 changed hands.
eat last Thompson opened jack-p
with 800 and the young fellow stayed.
| sat behind him and sawlthat no didn't
have even small pair.
81 was surprised aud perhaps expressed
my feelings in my face, for Dick looked
at me and smiled. Each drew two cards
and the young man caught nothing The
first bctwas $500, anls saw that Dicks
victim meant to carry mrs bun % Che
end, which was certain ruin, for Thomp-
son never carried less than $50, 900 to
800, 900 in cold cash with him.
"Raisc after raise was made with be-
wildoring rapidity until the table was
covered with money A crowd had gath
cred, but neither Of tho players noticed
it. Both sat with set faces, hauling out
money and making their bets in low sup
pressed voices.
"Finally Thompson exclaimed Il see
your So 900 and 60 you $50 600 better
A hush fell upon the crowd. | looked
at the young man and felt great pity
yelling up for him. He sat there as il
stupefed, his face white and pinched, MS
from cold, while the muscles Of his jaws
worked spasmodically.
"'Well, snid Thompson, can you see
me, or do take the money!
The victim grasped once or twice.
but said nothing until his cruel oppo-
ncnt reached for the huge stack of
money. Then he said as in great pnn.
hold on minute, until | go TO my
room Thompson aud both looked at
each other.
Stand by, Bill with a pistol. he
whispered, " he comes back with a
weapon
1.-THE weapons that the victim brought
back in less than minute we're two
large valses, nearly as large us small
trunks. Trembling so that he could
hardly lift them, he sat one after the
other upon the stacks Of money upon
the table We all thought he was crazy,
but he wasn't. Looking steadily at
Thomps he said in clear voice
~ see your $50 900 and raise you
one million dollars.
"Thompson's face was study. 1t
was his turn to get pale. but he braced
up with a snsering laugh, and said in an
insulting manner: You lie no man
ever carried such sum-
Gentlemen = exclaimed the young
man, open those valises .aad count the
contents. You will find in them $780, :.
900 over million dollars
Thompson arose without word.
walked TO the bar and took drink, and
sauntered out on deck. An instant af-
forwards there was loud report and n
woman's scream followd Just outside
the cabin door We found Iron Jawed
Dick lying with his brains oozing from a
hole in his temple, and woman who was
holding him, and was supposed to havo
bees his mistress. He was left at Mem
pbis
" Next day, said the old sport in
conclusion, 4 was sitting near the
guards, when the pale young man saun-
tered up and dropped into a chair. In
able TO restrain my curiosity, | asked
him how he came with such an onor-
nous sum Of money.
"'0h'l that is easily explained he
said smilingly. 4 am paymaster in
the army, and am carrying down the pay
for the army around Vicksburg. had
two more vaIises back in my state room.
# they had been needed S. Louis
Sunday Paper,