Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-06-08
Nerve ut Poker piay,

PROM the ST. Paul Globe
eyes, have seen some nice little games
out West" remarked n man whose dark
hair was slightly tinged with gray, u few
evenings ago, as he sat with few friends
who had been discussing the closing Of all
gsmbling.houses in this city. "Some very
good ones in fact Many people think that
the East is the only place where gambling is
carried on toany extent, but they want to 60
out to the cattle country and among the gold
mines II they want to see some big games.
While in Deadwood, in ls77 or ISIS, |
don't remember which, | saw q game
which set me thinking considerably, and
made me wonder II human nerve had a
limit Sunday evenings was then the
great time in that city, aud everything
was wide open, from the lowest dance
house to the most palatal rooms
in the city. Stud-pokor faro, hazard and
Spanish monte were the principal games
played. Every one played occasionally, and
| man who never touched a chip was looked
upon with surprise and almost contempt.
The men from the mines were always pres
ent and ready to stake their last dollar on
| their iavorte card But to return to the
| game OF which had started to speak. had
| gone into a big gamblinghouse and there
| found one of the most motley crowds II has
| ever been my fate 10 mingle with. AT q stud
poker table in the rear rnOm sat large party
/ of men, among them Walt Owens and Lew
| Palmer, two men well known among the sport
| ing fraternity as hard betters and neryy men,
| The game was a big one aud soon all the
| men but Owens and Palmer had withdrawn.
| Betting ran high, and the other tables were
| soon deserted, the other players coming to
| where the two men sat and watched the game
| with almost breathles3 interest. The game
| progressed, and first card turned up for Pal
| mer was ten spot Owens also got a ten,
| and alter looking at the card turned face
| down, bet $50. Palmer stayed. His next
| card was a seven. Owens gaze rested on a
five spot dealt him, but he cheerfully saw
| the SlO0 bet by Palmer. Thus matters went
| on till four cards lay in front of each
| man, face up, and one turned down.
| Not a pair was in sight, and every
| one thought each man had an ace in the
| hole The betting than began in earnest,
| and each man must have had an idea that the
| other was 'bluiling,' or ot least il looked 50.
| Soon there was some $500 on the table, and
| Palmer made bet of $500. Owens looked at
| his hand, then at his antagonist Not word
| did he say, but reaching into his inside vest
| pocket drew out big roll of bills, from
| which he took 5000. After deliberatng a
| moment he dropped it into the pot, his face
| not moving muscle. Palmer laid his hand
| on the table In front of him, then pulled a
| similar amount from his pocket. counted IT,,
| and found that 1t took every cent he had.
| With a smile he leaned forward and call ed
| Owens bet Silently the two men turned
| over the faced card. Palmer had a king,
| Owens an ace. Palmer glanced at the cards,
| rose from his seat, and remarked, in a calm
| voice, That beats me- Walt lend me dol.
| lar to get a drink, will you p and sauntered
| on."