Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-01-20
Redmond can only claim the stakes
by going through the marriage cere-
,,,OnvN

]
"Judge" Flanagan, an intiuen'
tial politician, was present, and
after a hurried consultation, Town
send made written admission oil
ground for a divorce, on which
Flanagan SAID he could procure a
separation in a very short time.
The announcement with an en-
ragement ring and Texas Toms
compliments, was sent back to
Mrs. Townsend, who returned the
following note;
THOMAS REDMOND:-Under such
conditions hope and pray you Will
win. KAY 1OWNSEND'
"The game is made, gentlemen"
said Tom, with as much of smile
as loss of sleep would permit to cir
culate on his haggard face, deal the
cards"
Townsend dealt the cards, and
the novel game commenced.
Texas captured the ante chip and
three more with it, on three deuces
against tens up.
"She's minew he cried. 81 al
wavs win when l rake the first pot"
Townsend broke out with a tor
rent of oaths, and the pair nearly
came to blows, only the interven-
ton of the bystanders causing the
game to go on.
The prospective vidower played
a hard game. He was wary and
careful, and again he won for a
time, but again luck turned against
him, and his costly chips melted IN
to the hands of the prospective
groom. With the turn Of the tide
Townsend lost his nerve, and in the
double ante and freeze.out, Texas
GOODNESS and bluff told heavily
The $50 bits ofivory travelled across
the table one by one, and seldom
came back.
In fourteen hours Townsend call
ed for a sight for his last $50, and
showed down three kings before the
draw.
Texas had aces up.
The remaining monarch failed to
leave the deck, but third ace trav'
eled into Texas hand.
Townsend staggered to his room
and roughly ordered his wife to get
out"
81 hope III be happier with him
than have been with you," retOrt-
ed the human stake as she obeyed.
But the defeated gaT1bler heard
her not. He was asleep.
Texas only waited to Introduce
his winning to Flanagan and in
junct that gentleman to hurry up
the divorce before he also went to
sleep. By the time his long slum-
ber was over the divorce suit was
we'll under way. Forty-eight hours
after the final hand was played the
twain were made one flesh by a JUS
tice of the peace, and the next day
the bridal tour was commenced IN a
westerly direction.
townsend went to the station to
see them off, and the tears rolled
down his cheeks like rain at the
parting. Mrs. Redmond paid no
heed to his misery, but rather laid
on the lash in punishment for the
indignlty put on her.
Texas only laughed.
"Tll see You again, Texas" threat.
eningly remarked the bankrupt.
81 don't care a curse whether you
do or not" was the bridegroom's
nonchalant answer; "Pd advise you
not to unless you learn how to play
poker or be more of man in the
meantime
"In Omaha the pair stopped to
celebrate" concluded the sport who
told the reporter the story, "ahd
they've been celebrating 80 much
that | guess Toms winnings are tol
erably scarce at present all but the
woman; he's got her yet if the cash
has melted"
Redmond was approached by
reporter for confirmation OF the
story, and he frankly admitted the
truth OF the main features OF the
story, but he would not 60 into the
details. Nor would he say whether
he was likely to regret having "won'
or mot.