Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-01
THE VETERANS LAST GAME.
The Old Gentleman Was Playing His Fs-
yorite Pedro When the End Came

The Old Gentleman Was Playing His Fs-
vorite Pedro When the End Came.
"Ain't there some simpler game n this t
you drather play, gentiemenf
heard the voice down in the center of the
car and recognized it. 1t was the old man |
had seen several times in my travels in the
cars and at the hotels A roughly dressed
but fine looking, kindly faced old gentleman,
with bushy gray hair and plenty of good
natured creases around the eyes. He was
! forever playing<cards; never for money, but
always for the genuine love of playing and
! he played with a hearty enthusiasm which
/ always drew around him q number of inter
eSted and amused spectators.
| arose and went back to where be was
playing now with three other passengers, and
! sat on the arm of seat to watch the game.
Seven I'll give" the old gentleman said
rs he looked at his hand. "Seven's good, ehl
Save your clubs. Two cards, please. How
many d you draw, partnerl Twof Ono!
Well get our seven then all right enough.
Wei, gentleman, there's ace for high, now
put on your pedros. All, had it, eh9 Wei,
now give US the other one MOI Well, try
EN- again then; there he comes Give Us
fourteen times" And as his partner marked
down the score the CID gentleman's ewes
trembled and he said: Amt there somc
simpler game n this I you drsther play, gen
tenen!"
Hour after hour the men played; the trsin
stopped at stations, passengers got on and Off
occasionally player left the car but a new
man would take his place and go with the
game. ! went back 10 my seat and adjusted
myself for a nap The car was warru and
permeated with the odor OF oranges and pea
nuts. As joted and bounded along
sleepily listened 10 the hum o: conversation,
the rumble Of the wheels, cracking of the
hot stoves and the occasional whistle of the
locomotive Above ell l could still hear the
old veterans remarks
There's for low. Put down your pedro.
Now take that if you can, and that. and that
Amt they some simpler game n this : you
drather play, gentlemenf'
Amid the confusion of sounds dropped
asleep.
/ had horrible awakening Screams,
oaths, crashing Of timber, Kissing Of steam
and then sensation OF falling and dizziness
another crash, and knew no more until |
found myself lying on the ground with
number of others who had been extTicated
from the wreck
was dazed, but not badly hurt, and for
minute | lay on my back trying. in a con !
fused way. 10 realize what had happened /
heard groans and EXPLANATIONS OF pain around 4
me. and then ] heard the voice OF the old 1
gen tenlan
Pass he said
He was lying close to NE ard sat I'D and /
looked ct him. Els fine old face was ashv 1
white. be was terribly hurt AMI deiirious I
and he kept repeating the phrases De had Used 4
in playing.
Seven! No. holi"-hs auivered with 4
la1n-''hold on, ne said Il woa sr-auothe.
CONFUSION passed over him won't hsdT7
took OF my coat and placed it under his
head. he writhei VITA paid Take ,har-if 1
you can he sid, and that. aIsi THAR
parting wrench convulsed his old frame
for moment. then he became quiet. his
uend dropped to the ground. a peaceful,
painless look Came over his face anu With
his 6yir. breath he SAID again:
Amt there's olae-s3so pier -sne-'n thi-
/ yo4-SiFather play-sentlesn.ai- -DssEoi,
Fra Pra~