Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-01-11
Gambling with Ghosts.

| ID Il = DtiohB, VI this Couhsy, WIS ~
town the other day to see about filing
a claim against the Hannibal q st. Jc
Railroad company for damages caus'
ed by the killing of some stock be-
longing to him. At one time in his
early manhood Frank, as he is popu.
larly called, was great lover of the
national game of poker, and while here
he related wonderful story Of a
game in which he once participated.
Twelve years ago, while dealing ex-
tensively in cattle, Frank made trip
to Avon, ILL.,, and there sought lodg-
ing at the old Revere House, now burn
ed. 1t was late in the evening when
he arrived, and accommodations were
limited. The landlord informed him
that there was but one vacant room,
and this deserted one, believed by
those familiar with the place to be
haunted. If this would suit, cot
could be fixed up for the guest. This
being his only chance, Strong accept
ed the situation, and in the bare room,
destitute of furniture, a mattress and
blankets were provided. While these
arrangements were being made, the
host explained that some years before
two men had sought lodging in the
house and occupied the room. In the
middle of the night pistol shot was
heard, and those who rushed to the
spot had discovered one of the two
companions lying dead on the floor,
with bullet in his heart. The MUIR
derer had escaped by the window.
The cause of the trouble was explain
ed by a pack of cards scattered on the
floor, together with some loose coin
which was found on the table where
they had been playing. A quarrel
between the two gamblers over their
game had resulted in a tragedy. Since
then the ghost of the murdered man,
sometimes in company with other
spooks, was said to nightly visit the
room.
Nothing daunted by the tale, Strong
blew out his light and retired. Some
time during the night he awoke and
saw two ghostly forms seated on the
floor playing cards by the pale moon
light which streamed through the
window. For few moments he
watched them then his delight in
the game played overcame all other
considerations, and he jumped up from
his mattress and asked if he might
have hand. Not a word was spok-
en- by the two figures in white, bnt
one of them silently dealt hand to
the stockman, who had audaciously
curled himself up on the floor be-
tween the ghostly gamesters, having
not even waited to dress himself The
game was poker, and for a time the
ante was low. Both pale spirits ap-
peared to be well supplied with mon
ey in bills and silver. Without the
exchange of word, the game pro-
gressed. Finally Strong laid down
as his ante q S5 bill. All drew, and
Strong's bet of $40 was raised by
each until $3.50 lay on the floor. On
II hand of four tens Strong won,
Neither of the mysterious individuals
was scientific player, and in the
course of few hands the lone mortal
managed to run in few successful
bluffs For two hours the game had
progressed, when at the growing of a
harvard fowl both the white-robed
personages arose, startled, and sadly
withdrew. The manner of their
egress from the apartment, Strong de-
clares, is yet mystery, as no aper-
ture larger than the keyhole existed.
Strong took pull of brandy to quiet
his nerves, and counted over his win
nipgs. which slightly exceeded 5000.
Then carefully looking to his revolver,
he placed the money under his pillow,
again retired, sleeping soundly until
awakened by the landlords rap. To
the latter's inquiry whether he had
been disturbed by the spirits he repli-
ed that nothing unusual had happen
ed. This occurrence, Frank said in
conclusion, he regarded as warning
that disembodied spirits ought never
to tackle an able bodied stock dealer
in game of poker. AS to the gen.
uineness of the money he had won,
doubt was dispelled when on reaching
ST. Louis it served to purchase week
of full-blown enjoyment.-Macon Cor
respondent ST. Louis Democrat.
Man Jack and lack lack