Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-27
THE VETERANS LAST GAME.


The Old GenttenlaM Was Playing His Pa
vosite Pedro When the End Came.
Amt there some simpler game n this {
you drather play, gentlemenf'
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 hotelA 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 hearty enthusiasm which
always drew around him a number of inter
ested and amused spectators.
l arose and went back to where he was
pla, ing now with three other passengers, and
sat on the arm Of seat to watch the game.
''Seven I'll give" the old gentleman said
as he looked at his hand "Sevens good, chi
Save your clubs. Two cards, please bow
many d. you draw, partnerf Twoi Ohol
Well get our seven then all right enough.
Well, gentleman, there's ace for high, now
put ON your pedros. All, had it, chi Well,
now give us the other one. Not Well, try
EN- again then, there he comes. Give us
fourteen times" And as his partner marked
down the score the old gentleman's eyes
trembled and he said: "Ain't there some
simpler game n this t you drather play, gen
tlemenr'
Hour after hour the men played. the train
stopped at stations, passengers cotton and off,
occasionally player left the car, hut new
man would take his place and go OH with the
game. l went back to my seat and adjusted
myself for a nap The car was warm and
permeated with the odor of oranges and pea
nuts As we jolted and bounded along
sleepily listened to the hum Of conversation,
the rumble Of the wheels, cracking Of the
bot stoves and the occasional whistle Of the
locomotive. Above all could still hear the
old veterans remarks
"Theres for low. Put down your pedro.
Now take that il you can, and that, AMI that!
Amt they some simpler game n this Z you
drather play, gentlemenT
Amid the confusion Of sounds dropped
asleep
had a 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 OH the ground with a
number Of others who haG been extricafed
from the wreck.
was dazed, but not badly hurt, and for
minute l lay on my back trying, in a con-
fused way, to realize what had happened l
heard groans and EXPLANATIONS Of pain around
me, and then l heard the voice Of the old
gentleman.
''Pass" he said.
He was lying close to me and sat up and
looked at him His fine old face was ashy
white. He was terribly hurt and delirious
and he kept repeetin the phrases he had used
In playing.
''Seveni No. hold"-he Quivered with
pain-'hold on" he said, ~ won't"-auother
CONFUSION passed over hint won't bidr'
took of my coat and placed it under his
head. He writhed with paid. Take that-if
You cant" he said, land that and THAR
A parting wrench convulsed his old frame
for . moment; then he became quiet, his
hand dropped to the ground. a peaceful.
painless look came over his face, and with
his dying breath he said again:
Amt there-some-smpler game-'n this
tyou-drather play-gentlemenf'- Detroit
Free Press