The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-04-04
= LOVED MS MOTHER. !"
The Key to an Old Mississippi River
N.Gamblsf's Insxplicable Conduct.

A3AUOAMDAO0A
eanblsf's hs1plicable Conduct.
II am = believer ia mans natural good.
ness" SAID the Colonel, fitting his chair
and resting his perfectly polished boots
on one of it's ruugs. II had the pleasure
once Of knowing an honest gambler. ]
liked him, too, for he was gentleman.
The days Of his class OF gamblers are
past, however, and to day they seem to
be a scurvy lot.
''Moore, when saw him, was Mis-
sissippi gambler. He travelled on the big
river steamboats,. He never attempted to
conceal the truth about himself. 1t was
simply, Gentlemen, am gambler by
occupation, and good one. If you care
to have me play with you it will give me
great pleasure. If you don't it doesn't
make particle of difference
II got to know Moore very we'll, and l
soon discovered that when playing with
the average man, luck being equal, he
would win % times out of 100. | never
touched cards but liked his society. He
was wonderfully entertaining talker.
On summer nights the stewards used to
serve dinner on deck for those who pre-.
ferred to have it there After dinner we
would go up to the hurricane deck, and
when Moore was on board he would bring
out his flute and play for us. When the
moon was out and threw q thin blue veil
over the water, or when the boat, carving
the darkness, swept so close to the shore
that it brushed the dark willows on the
bank, the rising and falling notes that
came from his instrument were gentle
music to the car. He would play there
until some one suggested game, when
be would take his instrument apart and
put it away in an Indifferent manner.
II watched him at play one night, when
satan seemed to throw every card to this
calm, self-possessed man. There was a
cool, matter of fact way about him which
froze the ardor of every one except a
young man about 20 years old. This
player was in ill-luck. With flushed face
and feverish eye he made his bets furi-
ously, only to lose every time. It soon
became evident that he was playing be-
yond bis means. Moore must have noticed
it, for he ceased to bet heavily against
the younger man. This angered the
other
''There was pot of $500 once, and
every one had dropped out except Moore
and the young man. Moore had been
playing his hand like wonderful auto
maton, passionless but sure. No man
but his opponent, perhaps, could doubt
that be held the winning hand. Suddenly,
when his rival bet $50, Moore laid down
his hand, saying, 4 won't bet. I have
nothing. You have played that hand
WE'LL
1.-THE young man reached out feverishly
for the pile, and then his hand lay on the
table,
THAT is not true,' he said. You have
good hand and are afraid to play it
against me-
"Moore shot hot glance across the
table at him, and two red spots flashed
into his cheeks.
"I lay down my hand, he said, slowly,
but with slight tremor in his voice.
Wand say added the other in low
tone, you are gambler and therefore
coward
"'Hush, said, laying my hand on the
young mans sleeve. ~'You don't know
what you are saying. He is not coward
by any manner Of means
1.-THE young man shook off my hand
vehemently.
"'He is a coward, he repeated, 'and l
will answer for my words at the next
landing
81 looked at Moore He sat stiff and
motionless with terrible fire in his eyes.
l was amazed at his next words.
"'Does the game go on2' he asked
quietly
"'Not with YOU said the young man,
bending forward, the veins in his FORE
head swelling. Not until l prove that
you are afraid to bet,' and with sudden
motion be threw his hand across the table
and Selling Moore's hand, turned the
cards face upward
II was on my feet at the instant to ar
rest Moore's right arm, for felt sure that
he would draw his revolver at the insult.
But hush fell over those around the ia
BILE, and the hotheaded young man was
gazing stupidity at the cards before him.
-Four aces lay there-an invincible hand,
for straight fushes were not played.
There was blue tinge in Moore's white
lips, and the young man looked bewil-
dered and burst into tears.
"'We can't play together any more,
he cried. you threw money in my
pocket because I was losing too much. l
can't take it, he said, arising from his