Wichita eagle., 1889-01-10
EXPENSIVE. I PRIDE.
A GAMBLERS BUTTONS COST HIM
FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS.

A F1atboatnan with Keen Eye Takes
the Conceit Cut of q PROFESSIONALS
Game of "O1d sledgc" Which Amused
the Sports of New Orleans.
In 1851. when New Orleans was reached By
| fatboats, 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 gilded rooms of the GouZalo 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 Next
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
tall, gaunt flatboatman 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
large sums were scattered about the table
The newcomer was at once recognized by
many of those present, who saiuted him with,
Glow are you, Bowers"
BOWERS PROPOSES GAME.
Bowers nodded pleasantly to the right and
left and took a seat at one of the tables where
Gonzalo was presiding. The visitor was
man vino would be conspicuous in any crowd.
A quick eye, long, somewhat hooked nose,
face bronzed by exposure, and a thin, attenu-
ated, black mustache gave him the appear
ance of either frontiersman or a veteran
circus manager. He watched the game
closely for some time, when his eye fell upon
the large silver buttons on Gonzales coat.
These seemed to hold his gaze, for, without
removing his scrutiny, he moved his chair
directly opposite the little Mexican. In a
few minutes smile overspread his features,
and he got up and went to the bar for drink.
Wiping his mustache on big yellow BAN
dGnna handkerchief, he stepped behind the
table and whispered something i'll the Next
cans ear. The little proprietor bowed graz
ciously, saying loud enough for those around
to hear: Isl, senior, l play whatever game
you like" They withdrew to a small ante
room in the rear, which was lighted by a
large glass skylight. The smile Of Bowers
did not leave his face 1t seemed to glow
even more radiantly when they sat down fac
ing each other, and when he took from his
pocket a large buckskin purse filled with gold
it widened almost into laugh. OFF you're
no objections, pardner," said Bowers, with
somewhat of a drawl in his enunciation,
''we'll make it cid sledge"
At that time ''old sledge," known later as
and its popularity had penetrated even the
wild woods of the extreme west. ''Eet
maker not de slight differans for me what a
gamer eet is" replied the dapper Gonzalo, as
he took new pack of cards from the hands
Of a servant.
The game commenced, and at first Bowers
lost. This, however, did not disturb his
equanimity ia the least He chewed at the
end of his cigar, as was his habit, ran his
hand through his long, black hair, played
with large seal ring that adorned his left
little finger and still smiled. a few idlers
drifted back to where they were playing, but
the two antagonists We're so quiet that they
lost interest and went back to more enSyen-
ing games. Bowers, after some time, began
to what first every second game, then two
out of every three. The Mexican sent for
another pack of cards, as he said, ''to change
de luck" After Bowers had examined them
critically he accepted them as 'fair and
square pasteboards."
obliged FOR THE CASH"
The hatboatman did not move one inch in
his chair. He seemed as rigid as if carved
from stone. Facing his opponent, he kept
his eye fixed on the handsome green coat OK
the proprietor and the silver buttons They
appeared to have some fascination for the
rough riverman. Gonzalo sat listlessly in
his seat, evidencing but little interest in the
game. His cards he held low, as his hands
rested on the table.
At O'Clock in the afternoon Bowers was
1,S00 ahead, and the Mexican had awakened
to a decided interest in the game. He pro-
posed to increase the bets to 500 on each
game, which offer was promptly acCtr-ed.
The other tables had become deserted now,
and there was g crowd gathered around the
two players. Side bets were offered on each
game by spectators and the excitement was
growing intense.
Bowers paid no heed to those around him
He had come, he said, ito get ali the honey
out of this gum tree, and he was a-goiI' to
do it,"
At haf-pa he had won s., eco, and at
O'CLOCK, Wnen ne caLlSu 1Or q drink, ne mad
$1,000 in gold ahead
Gonzalo was somewhat pale, but there was
not treInor in his hand He explained that
he had nearly reached the limit of his pile,
but would play two more hands for 500
each. and Bowers won both. The Mexican
rose from the table and shook hands with his
antagonist, and both adjourned to take
glass of wine together. Bowers received the
admiring glances of the crowd as he strolled
leisurely out of the saloon, still chewing the
end of his cigar. The game was the talk of
the town for number Of days, and Gouzalo
was teased considerably about it by his COM
rades. All this seemed Is nothing, however,
when he received a note, written in bold,
scraggy hand, saying: "Pardner, cts too
good to keep, so I'll tell ct to you. When
you play with Gringo take off that ere
green coat and silver buttons. l seed every
hand you held rite in one of those buttons,
like looking inter looking glass. Much
'bhged for the cash, all the same Yours Til
deth, BOWERS
Cincinnati Enquirer.