Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-24

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clared that | stood 'pat"-that is TO saw.
that did not want to better my hand by
taking cards. There were evidently a lot
of big hands out, for each of the six men
playing, though it was plain that held a
big hand or was simply "blufing," in
creased the stakes. | put on another one
hundred dollars when it came to nv turn.
Tor knew that must win. Then one of
the players was frightened out, and the
stakes went on increasing until had three
thousand dollars in front of me, for each
man went better''-that is to say. in
creased his stake, Two Of the players
caved in
You can't bluff me, mister" remarked
Colonel Jabez Jackpotts; "I'll double the
stakes" and he put up" the requisite
amount in notes.
Fool that was, doubled him again,
partly because l knew that | must win,
partly because | wished TO dazzle Par
thenia's pepper.
But Colonel Jackpotts ''raised" me again.
and so we went on till FL, 900 in American
notes lay in front of each of us. 1t was
fiye-sixths of my little fortune-flve sixths
OF all l had in the world, and though
knew that | must win, gave sigh of re-
llet as Colonel Jackpotts calmly remarked:
Il guess I'll see your swagger hand,
| mister"
laid my flush sequence TO the ace upon
the table with a triumphant smile.
"Damnation" cried Colonel Jackpotts.
Then he suddenly stretched out his great
paw aud spread the cards out. And lo
there were six cards-ace, king, queen,
knave, ten Of spades and the eight of
hearts,
u am sorry for you, mister" remarked
Colonel Jabez Jackpotts, with benignant
smile; that's foul hand. Hand over
them chips"
l had lost.
How it happened l could not tell. at
must have occurred in the dealing"
thought.
appealed to the bystanders. | offered
to refer the matter TO "A well known Ameri-
can dlplomatist who was looking on.
You have lost" he said calmly. "You
should have examined your cards more
carefully. The laws of poker, like those of
the Modes and Persians, alter not"
Colonel Jabez Jackpotts carefully count
ed my great pile of notes, and they went
into his capacious pocketbook Then the
party broke up.
That night opened my soul to Mr.. Per
simmon. 81 am "A ruined man, SIR" said.
II have lost all had in the world except
$1,000. had intended, Mr.. Persimmon, to
ask you for your daughters hand. That's
all over now, through my absurd folly. /
shall never forgive myself, and I've got TO
begin the world again"
WAS Party fond of you, boyf" he asked
laconically. He did not give me time TO
answer. Party was fond of you; she told
me so herself It's IA lucky thing for you
that Party is fond of you. For Party's
sake III see you through this thing. Jack
potts is sharper, and Senator Straddle
and the doctor are his accomplices."
The following evening Mr. Persimmon
placed note case in my hand
For Party's sake" said he, "Pm going
to lend you some dollars. Play from that
case, Mr.. st. John; there's only one way
Of 'besting' a scoundrel like Jackpot and
for Party's sake he's got TO be bested.
When | give you the signal by taking out
my handkerchief, you'll 20 on betting till
alls blue, for Jackpotts has got to be best
ed. Try and not lose your head" said Mr.
Persimmon your straight flush hand
was right enough last night. Jackpotts is
smart man. it was he who put the eight
OF hearts there-l saw him do it; but IL /,
being your friend had attempted TO I'M
mask him, no one would have believed
me-" Then it all dawned upon me for the
first time.
We began to play. We played for about
quarter of an hour; it. was my turn to
bet. had nothing in roy hand-nothing
whatever. ! was about to throw it on the
table in disgust, when, to my horror, saw
Mr.. Persimmon take out his handkerchief
gave him look of agony; he only smiled
One by one, as increased the stakes, the
players dropped out. | had over $40, 600
staked in front Of me, and the money was
not mine. It was Parthenias fathers.
an raise you five thousand, mister"
said Colonel Jackpotts, in hollow voice,
az he took out the very last Of his bank
notes from his great pocketbook.
'Ten thousand dollars betteri" cried,
with affected calmness.
81 guess I'll write you a check for ten
thousand, mister, and then I'll see YOU"
blurted out the colonel, his eyes almost
starting from his head
You'd better post the money" said Mr.
Persimmon, blandly.
you don't object, mister, / take itf" said
the colonel to me piteously.
ObJNNb W tNtl gbiluS1 ItpIeu. Il ne
laws Of poker like those of the Modes and
Persians, alter not" quoted, appealing to
the well known American diplomatist.
THAT is So" remarked that gentleman
sententiously.
Colonel Jackpotts saw that it was no use
making a scene. He gave one vindctive
look at Mr.. Persimmon, and then the
colonel saw that that Rentleman's hand
was in what in America is termed the ''sly
pocket of his pants" In America, when a
gentleman's hand is in this position il is
generally grasping a revolver.)
Then, darn me blue" said tho colonel,
"if you ant busted me between you. Cuss
youW Then, in his rage, he swallowed his
quid, and his language became unprinta-
BILE.
carefully packed mp all the money on
the table in the note case of Party's pepper
"You might like to see that there arc
only five cards in my hand, f" remarked tri-
umphantly. | exhibited my five worthless
cards face upward | had "bluffed" Colo
mel Jabez Jackpotts.
There Is no more to tell. married Par
thenia. Party's pepper is a very wealthy
man. | am not anxious to meet Colonel |
Jackpotts.-St. James Gazette.