Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-27

4 E1atboatman with q Keen Eye Takes
Game of "Old SIedge" Which Amused
the Sports of New Orleans.
In 1851. when New Orleans was reached by
flatboats, the cargo of apples, hay, corn or
meats was disposed of as fast as purchasers
could be found, after which the crews looked
up the local sights, particularly the ''tiger."
OF all the curiosities then to be found there
they preferred, beyond all dispute, the tiger.
This popular quadruped was to be seen no.
where in more vigor and beauty of coat than
in the gided rooms of the Gonzalo Brothers.
In their saloon he was invariably lavishly
habited in short jacket Of green, closely
fitting his rotund body. Down the front was
row of very large buttons made from Mexi-
can dollars, the front faces of which were so
polished that they reflected light as mirrors.
Shortly after the MONDAY lunch had been
served in the front saloon on a cool Sunday
a tall, gaunt fiatboatman sauntered in to-
ward the tables, where little groups were
watching with intense anxiety the turning
up of the cards by one of the dealers. The
game was Mexico's favorite monte, and
large sums were scattered about the table.
The newcomer was at once recognized by
many of those present, who saIuted him with
How are YOU, BowersF'
BOWERS PROPOSES A GAME
Bowers nodded pleasantly to the right and
left and took seat at one of the tables where
| Gonzalo was presiding The visitor was
! man who would be conspicuous in any crowd
| A quick eve, long, somewhat hooked nose, 6
| face bronzed by exposure, and thin, attenu
! ated, black mustache gave him the appear
| ance of either frontiersman or a veteran
| circus manager He watched the gam
| closely for some time, when his eve fell upoI
the large silver buttons on Gonzales coat
| These seemed to hold his gaze, for, withou
| removing his scrutiny, he moved his chai
| directly opposite the little Mexican In
| few minutes smile overspTead his features
| and he got up and went TO the bar for drink
Wiplng his mustache on q big yellow bar
| danna handkerchief, he stepped behind th
table and whispered something in the Mex
cans ear The little proprietor bowed grs
ciously, saying loud enough for those aroun
to hear: ''Si, senior, l play whatever gam
You like They withdrew 10 a small ant
|
large glass skyiight The smile OF Bowel
did not leave his face It seemed TO glo
even more radiantly when they sat down ia
ing each other, and when ne took from h
pocket large buckskln purse filed with go
II widened almost INTO laugh 'Ef you
no objections, pardner," said Bowers, vii
somewhat of a drawl i'll his enunciatio
well make it cid sledEen
At that time old sledge,7 known later
''seven up was a favorite American gam
and its popularity had penetrated even t
, wild woods of the extreme west. "E
maker not dc slight differans for me what
gamer eet is replied the dapper Gonzalo,
he took q new pack of cards from the han
of servant
The game commenced, and at first Bowt
lost, This, however, did not disturb
equanimty in the least He chewed at
end of his cigar, as was his habit, ran
hand through his long, black hair, play
with a large seal ring that adorned his h
little finger, and still smiled A few idl
drifred back to where they were playing,
the two antagonists We're so quiet that tt
lost interest and went back to more enliv'
ing games. Bowers, after some time, beg
20 wiE--at first every second game, then t
| out OF every three. The Mexican sent
----ssa--- f--~.- 40, sslItt, 70 cuaI
De luck After Bowers had examined tn
critically he accepted them as fair q
square pasteboards'
|