Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-08-21
THE VETERANS LAST GAME.
MORRIS WAITE.

Detroit Free Press. &c..
Saint there some simpler game n this
t you drather pay, gentlemenp
heard the voice down In the center of
the car and recognized 1t. 1t was the
old man had seen seversl times in nv
travels In the cars and at the hotels. K
roughly dressed, but fine looking, kindly
faced old gent eman with bushy 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 lie played
with hearty enthusiasm which always
drew around him number OF intereste d
and amused spectators
rose and went back to where lie was
playing now with thres other passengers
and sat on the arm of seat to watch the
game.
"Seyen, I'll give" the old gentleman
said as Ire looked at his hand. ''ssye 8
good, ehi Save your clubs. Two ca,ds,
please. How many d. you draw, part
nerl Twd Ohio, We'll get our seven
then all right enough. Well, ren,le-
men, there's ace for high, now put on
your pedros. All, had 1t, chi Wen, now
give us the other one. MOI Well, try
'em again then; there he comes Give
us fourteen times" AMI rs his partner
marked down the eoore the old gentle
mans eyes trembled AID he said.
"Ain't there seine simpler game N this
Z you draiher play, gentleman
Hour a ter hour the men played: the
train stopped at stations, passengers got
on and oil, occasionally player Lett the
car, but new man would take his p ace
and go on with the game. | went back
IA nj lG...-t n &
The car was warm aud permeated with
the odor oil oranges aud peanuts. As we
jolted and bounded along | sleepily
listened to the hum of conversation, the
rumble Of the Wheel, cracking of the
hot stoves and the occasional whistle of
the locomotive. Above all / could still
hear the old veterans remarks.
There's Tor low. Put down your pedro.
Now take that If you can, and that, and
that Amt they some simpler game n
this 'tyou dratler play, gentlemen"
Amid the confusion of sounds /
dropped asleep.
had horrible awakening. Screams,
oatbs, crashing OF timbers, hlssing OF
steam and then sensation NJ falling and
dizziness; anether crash, and | knew no
more until found myself lying on the
ground with number Of others who had
been extricated from the wreck.
WAS dazed, but not badly hurt, and
for minute lay on my back trying, In
a confused way, TO realize what had hap
pcned. l heard groans and EXPLANATIONS
OF pain around me, and then l heard the
voice Of the old gentleman.
"Passl" 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
aud delirious, and he kept repeating the
phrases he had used In playing.
'Sevenl No, ho,d'-, lie quiyered
with pain, "hod OF he said, ri won't"
another conyulsion passed over him
81 won't bid!"
took of my coat and placed It under
his head. He writhed with pain. "rake
canl" he said, "and that
and thatl' parting wrench convulsed
HIS old frame Tor moment, then he be- |
came quiet, his hand dropped to the
ground, peaceful, painless look came
over his face, and with his dying breath |
he said again:
cain there some simpler game-'n |
ibis It you-dra'her play-gentlemen?''