The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-07-11
Beating a Gambler.

Old Benesiict Kirk, the king Of the
Mississippi gamblers, Was born here, and
received his first less0rs in cold deekiisg 2
and stripping in the quaint old town Of
Washington. which j. four miles south Of
here, on the Lexington pike Once he
found himself in Louisville. after pro-
iTactei siege At faro, without a dollar
He became tiiszusted with the Falls City
and boarded 4 down-riyer steamer. II
touched ai some little town on the Indi-
ana shore and q genuine jAy-havker
about emigraiing for Kansas came aboard
lie displayed plenty Of money, and Ben
edict selected him as victim. He formed
the fellows acquaintance, and the jay
hawkes vzs delighted xiih his new
maae friend. It happened that there was
another gambler aboard the boat and he,
too, cast enrious eyes upon the Indian
ian. He knew Benedict Kirk. and watch
ing his opportunity, called the great gam
bier aside.
Benedict he said, pointing 10 the
Indizni4n, your friend seems 10 have
plenty Of money"
About 5000 answered Kirk
Why don't you get tit?
4 would, bat lost my las; dollar al
faro in Louisville,
= I'm pretty well fixed, CRED The gam
bier, eagerly, displaying large roll Of
bills, and sack Of coin. You play, and
I'll stake you"
Agreed, said Benedict Give me SO
to start the game"
The gambler placed in MS hands the
required sum, and Kirk rejoineI The In
dianian- When they we're alone, he
leaned forward, and said.
Sc My friend, you are an innocent,
go0i-hear,ed fellow, and Ike you Can
you play poker?'
So j little
Well, suppose We play game. ! am
Benedict Kirk, and that fellow forward
there, nodiing toward the other gam
bier. wants me to fleece you He Is 90
ing 10 furnish the money, and af;er sc
have been playing awhile VIII deal you
four kings. Discard the useless card and
draw another. Then bet every dollar
you have, and I'll So you with money
that III borrow from my friend MP lJr-
warL. Y0uIl win, and vel then divide
np-"
The IHdianian had heard of Benedict
Kirk, and agreed 10 20 into the game.
The gambler who hal s;4ked Kirk saun-
tered up to the table where they were
playing, Is though out Of idle curiosity,
and stood 70 that he could see Benelict's
hand. For a half hour the game moved
along slowly, the bets being small. Fl
nally Benedict dealt, and when he raised
bis hand the gambler saw that it con-
tanned four aces. The Indianian made
good his ante and called for one card.
Benedict drew one. Then they began 10
bet, cautiously at FIRST Finally, when it
vas Benediet's .turn 70 let, he hesiia-
ted, and said
"Tye got a hand here that / would
back with million If had it. hate to
call You, bui ! am afraid ! shall have
TO-"
This was the gamblers cue, and he was
-,--s.t- - - - . mn
IN loan you any SUN to back that
hand, my friend" he said, and laid a
roll Of notes beside Kirk.
The betting proceeded, and finally,
when nearly every dollar Of the gam
bler's money was on the table, Kirk call
ed the Indianian's hand
-Four kings cried the jayhawker,
spreading out his hand and reaching for
the pot.
Hold on, there interposed the gam
bier, who had been backing Kirk. This
hand beats yours. -Four aces
Kirk turned up his cards, but to the
surprise and disgust Of the gambler there
were three aces, a five and a seven spot.
"Confound the luck - cried Kirk, in
well simulated astonishment, I discard
ed the wrong card
The gambler, not daring 10 accuse Kirk
OF double dealing, but confident that he
had been made the victim Of one Of the
great gamblers shTewd tricks, turned on
bis heel with an oath and retired 10 his
room. The Indianian gathered M his
winnings.
Now comes the funny part Of the So
~, said Kirk, who told me this incident
himself several years ago. When got
an opportunity to see my jayhawker
friend alone and asked him for my share
of the winnings, he laughed al ne.
won the money, and its mine he
said, but as you are broke l don't mind
giving you SiO0"
saw it was no use urging the question
with the eouniryman, and took his slO0
l never saw him afterward, but be was
the only man that ever got the best Of
me at my own game. left the boat at
Memphis, made a stake, continued on
down to Vicksburg. and three days after
my arrival there had won cool $4,000
in cash and forty head of negroes, and a
good plantation.