The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-07


est draw poker player in that part Of the
Territory, and yet there were those who
had the temerity to face him across the
card table, and sometimes their good for
tune rather than their skill brought them
to the end of the game with winning TO
their credit. Trcvit was an exceedingly
reckless player when luck was against him,
and would never stop until his last cent
was gone. And when fortune was favor
ing him he played equally as desperately,
consequently he was rich one day and
poor the next.
One OF the most desperate games OF
poker he was ever mixed up in he played
a little more than year after lac married
Blushing Rose and, unknown to her
staked her against the claim OF a pros
pcctor by the name OF Bill GOodlng, n
hardy miner. who had seen Trcyts wife
and was not slow 10 express admiration OF
her charms.
Gooding was gambler as well as a
miner. and good luck seemed TO always
attend him, for he seldom struck his pick
into the mountain side that he didn't
bring up "color," and he was reported to
be extremely wealthy in gold dust, though
where he kept il was a mystery, since he
lived very much by himself IN rude hut
in the mountains. Occasionally he would
drift into Lewiston and have bout with
the boys at cards, and these occasional
visits usually proved very profitable to
him. Now and then GOoding and Ircvit
would find themselves face 10 face in the
game, and when this was the case long
aud hard-fought battle invariably fol-
lowed
At this time Lewiston was hardly more
than mining camp, located at the juno
ton Of the Smoke and Wafer rivers.
Round about the town lay the reservation
OF the Nez pcrces, consisting of 900 square
miles, and the population was made up Of
Indians, halibrccds and venturcsome
gold dggcrs, who had driitcd in there
from the south and west, lookingior richer
fields Of wealth than could be found in
California and Nevada II was a rough
community, and the chief pastime was
gambling.
THE GAME BETWEEN TREviT AND GooDING.
Jim Grinin's saloon, hastily thrown to-.
gethor shanty, built OF boards, boughs Of
trees and clods OF earth, facing the main
and only street In the town, was the head
quarters for the woalthicst Of the gamblers
in camp. The "tin-horn" element found
all the resorts necessary for their light.
weight games. In the rear OF Griilin's
saloon was n room partitioned of from the
bar that was devoted TO gambling, and one
evening Trcvit and Gooding found them.
selves together in this room. There were
several Of their friends there, and one OF
| them, anxious TO see the two men get at
each other with the cards, pulled bag OF
gold dust from his pocket and said
"Boys, there's pile that says that
Trcyit IL better man with the cards than
Gooding H..
His pile" was promptly covered by the
other occupants oi the room, who were
eager TO see the fun, and, nothing loath TO
DO their best 10 settle the question Of
supremacy, Tcyit and Gooding seated
themselves ut the table, and the remark.
able game began.
Many thousand dollars in gold dust were
slakcd on the table, and the champions Of
the two men settled themselves in their
seats 10 watch the contest.
The fight was u hot one. No chips were
used Tho bets were made in shining
gold dust, measured in the metallic cup Of
a pocket ilnsk. All that night aud the
next day the men battlcd for each others
wealth. GoOding's usual luck attended
him, and he gradually swept Trovits gold
dust over 10 his side Of the table. After
twcnty.iour hours Of hard PLAYING 60 re-
cover his lost money without avail, Trevit
siakcd his last cupiul Of dust aud saw Il
rkcd IN 10y Goodng.
II was not TUvit's nature 10 succumb 10
defeat without desperate struggle, and,
asking Gooding 10 wait until lac returned,
lac left the room. lie sought the cabin Of
q friend and borrowed several thousand
dollars In dust. Returning TO Griihn's 81
loon lac sat down, and once more the game
began. Tfcyit played rcckleWly His bets
were heavy. lie seemed determined TO
bride fortune to his side Of the table, but
the tickle dame would not be bought, and
pcnistcntly turned her back on Tryit, who
madly threw his capital into the hands Of
his triumphant adversary. At the end Of
twelve hours more Of vain cndcnvor 10
turn the tide In his favor Treyit cried
enough. lie had s,akcd the last penny.
weight Of dust hc had borrowed aud Lost.
You've beat me, lac said sullcnly 10
GOoding.
"Couldn'thclpit, Trcyit, replied Good
Ing. Il had 10 play ,hc cards Us they came
10 me-
eve got the grit to keep at you, but
haven't got u dollar left, said TwVii.
4 NOVEL STAKE,
Cooling smiled compaccntly M h,
shOvrlcd the shining dust into the leather
pouches lie hal won upwards Of $4,000
aud he might well feel happy. A peculiar
sparkle came into his eye ~ lac tied up ia,
last bag
"Tryit," said he. chats a might,
purity Indian gal you picked up fur q
wife
"Aiu't finer lookin' ral on this rcscr
Walton, % replied Twvt with an airot pride
"l'll tell yer what I'll do continue,
Gooiing filling his pipe.
Drive ahead, said Trvit, pulling hi
hat down over his ewes and looking with
hall,dcRant air NJ his opponent.
"Nou know that prospect | made las
fall up IN Cinnamon cunyung'
"luas"
"Shg's liable ter pan out big"
"Sp I hyar"
"Wnal, TtcyiL IN stake that claim
aginst your wife an draw kccrls fur the
winning hand Some outside TELLER mus
shuttle, M nobody u hcy the advantage.
"Iil do u, 4 n yer III play yer
yelled IwNit, glaring at Guoding. "lc'v
won all my dust an now yer want m,
. wife. but IN show YOU tibet yer can't scar
me. III play yer, an II had ~ ton a
dust Ia bet u ON thcr side that I'd bca
. yer"
This strange proposition and IT, read,
/, acceptance cfDntcd stirin the little room
anl 10 was not long before the news IT IN,
simngr bet got outside, and the townspco
. ] al. Iweft.N Ia a.. s.tfv.-s fia ...,.. m.