Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-17

Hesrtrendine scene In . saloon while .
Game of Poker Wa. PLAYED.

Prom the Cncinnati Fnqui-,r
A party Of men were sitting in the back room
Of a west end saloon PLAYING poker few night
age. There were i've in the game and the limit
was so cents. made small because the PLAYERS
were workingmen who had dropped IN 10 pas.
the evening over beer and cards
Things wen; on slowly for the first hour.
when the beer commenced 90 get ID. worn
in. the winners showing their chips out more
boldly. which made the losers play more de-.
perately.
So far the biggest loser Was a red-fAccd. burl,
sort OF man. known as Jim Robertson. who
lives with his family not great distance from
the stock yards, tie Is = heavy drinker and the
more beer he drank the more reckless no
PLAYED and the deeper he got into the hole A.
the loss Of every pot be swure and cursed hiu
luck and the good luck Of Others.
The clock struck 10 when a thin-faced hoy 81
ten or twelve wears approached the table and
stepping up TO Robertson. said:
Pa. ma wants YOU.
AN right. In be there soon" was the rrun
answer. and with that the boy left and ths
game went on, the players hardly noticing thu
interruption.
Quick and often went the drinks and livelier
than ever went the chips. An hour later TIVE
Of the PLAYERS were in the hole 60 the extent %
s. to ss each, while Jim was in deeper than
any Of them. The winners were quite merrs
over their luck and rushed the jack pots with
considerable Vigor. Then as the hands OF the
clock were edging toward the midnight hour,
one Of the PLAYERS said;
Lets play ten fifty-cent jack pots and quit
That's me. said Jim: Il think can win
ont II Won do"
ITS 60" echoed the others
Two red chips. each 50 cents. 81. 70 in the Dot
and only 80 cents to draw. What temptation
10 the loser seeking 60 get even.
And the loser WAS In every pot. before the
draw. after the draw. in everything save an raj,
ing down the chips-that pleasure was left D.
the winner only.
Five minutes to u O'Clock. and nov comes
the last pot.
Lets make this 81 each"
"a dollar it is and 81 TO open it,
''lt's a go, with a hurrah."
And Jim opens the pot
He is raised.
Perhaps its only blind to keep the other.
out. IL 80 II doesnt WORK a. the not ~ too big
and the others drop in with 81 zach. 1hen
Jam scans he hand like a true sport. looks AZ
his chips. and. seeing that he has oaly two reds
ami n few whites left, goes into his pockets and
brings out v the remainder of n twenty that
he had brought in early in the evening. his
whole weeks earnings. and, with the grace Of
an old-time winner. says:
play for three
"PIay for four" saws the next, the man who
The others concluded il best 10 drop ont
They were not in it. Shook hands Had no
business there.
'Play for FIVE" saws Jim.
''Six." SAYS the other.
PLAY for the balance in the bill " Ays Jim.
calling sight.
"les"
''wen. cards?"
''Don't want any" saws Jack
"Nor l. What have YOU gotg''
"King high straight"
NO good; ace high flush here"
H and D.
J':st then a boy stepped up 20 the table. II
was the same lad who had called before. but his
face was CHASTITY white and his ewes were wet
with tears. As he came up he touched Robert
son the shoulder. ana. in 0 low voice but
heard by every one present said:
Papa, mamma lie dead