Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-04
the table, observing: well, there amt

the table, observing: well, there amt
much use of my taking any,
Then they began betting again, ana
there were several good-slzed checks IN
the pot, together with all the chips that
had been issued, when the general al
lowed that there was a good deal OF
money for a quiet soclable game. Again
he suggested that they all follow his ex-
annie when he called He thought, OF
course. that it was his pot, and knew
that at least two of the other fellows
couldn't afford very well to lose the
money they had put in the General
chuckled when Oliver had called.
"'You will now see the wisdom OF
YOUR ways, gentlemen, said he, spread
ing out on the table the three, four hve
six and seven of hearts.
"Sharp turned white, and threw down
a sequence of spades from try to seven.
Il guess we'll split the money, General,
he said.
"'No you don't. I've got finger IN
the pie, put in Flanagan, and he ex-
posed a straight flush of diamonds from
three to seven.
During all this time Oliver, who had
turned all the coors of the rainbow in
rapid succession. began to recover MIN
self. Without saying word he turned
over a sequence of the remaining SUIT,
equal in value to each Of the other
three. OF course that broke up the
game. They divided the money and
some one accused Oliver OF having
stacked the cards. He denied it. how
Il
reputation of being a clever manlpu-
lator of the pasteboards, all the players
accepted his word"
Mr.. Purdys audience listened atten-
lively until the last word was spoken,
and then one of them loosely remarked,
ooh, come off," which led the others to
smile ncreduously.
"You don't believe, eh?" asked Pur-
dy, with some spirit 'Well, that's
Just as true as that | sit here, and any
body who knows anything about the
Old Blossom Club will tell you that
story is true in every particular. Gen.
Spinola has told that story thousands
and thousands OF times. | know | have
repeated it for years. | will admit that
it is remarkable narrative, but / will
gentlemen that | can prove to your en-
tire satisfaction that what | have just
told you is true"
Another quart of champagne was
served, and fresh cigars were lighted.
II haven't told you the Generals pet
story yet," said Purdy.
IF it's better than the last for good
ness sake let's have it," said one Of the
hearers.
"Well, then" began the sharpwittcd
lawyer, "the General nsed to go to Sara
toga every year. 1t was about seven
years ago when the General was putting
in few weeks at that delightful place.
Of course they play poker there, as they
do everywhere else. One night he sat
in pretty stiff game. | don't remem-
Der who the other players were, but If
my recollection serves me there were
five Of them besides the General.
ut got along pretty well towards
morning, and the General had quite Il
stack of velvet in front of him. Finally
there came Jackpot which passed
around several times, and the General,
who sat next but one to the dealer,
picked up straight of four, five, six
and eight of spades and the seven of
hearts. He opened it. The limit |
think. was $40 However. | am not
quite sure of that and it doesn't cut
much of figure in the story, anyway.
The man who sat next TO the General
passed, the next man played and the
next. a politician, whose name was
Wclett or Wolcott, raised the General.
The dealer passed and so did the man IN
front of General SpinOla.
''When it came the Generals turn
again he studied his hand a moment, as
if wondering what to do, and then,
although it was possibly not good
play, raised her again. The next player
traled, and Wocott sent her up once
more. The General trailed, and then
the man who followed him, whom the
other players supposed had no chance
for the money, raised it. Wolcott came
back right away. and the General began
to realize that his straight had pretty
good chance to get second or third
money. | may say right here that it
was this hand that cured the General
of bad habit, as he considered it, and
which it certainly proved to be in this
case. 1t was his custom to squeeze the
cards: that is, to arrange them so that
only the indicators could be seen by
him. To resume. the General called.
So did the man in front of Wocott.
Gimme one card said the General.
Both of the others held pat. The Cen
eral mixed his cards and glanced over
the indicators. On the corner OF the
card he had drawn was IA figure :, and
lust below it was small spade. He
Clipped. No. called, waiting for
Wocott's raise, which, of course, fol-
lowed. The General boosted her again.
The man behind him trailed, and VOL
colt raised. The next raise shut out
Mr.. No. 9, and the General and Walcott
kept raising back and forth, until the
men who stood around the table won
dered how much further either
of them could go. Both had
called upon their check books.
and goodness only knows how
much more money there was in the pot.
When it finally came to a call the Gen
eral said: Hold on, Wolcott, I've got
YOU beat. and he spread his hand out
on table. The latter, who had been
sitting all this time behind four trays,
which looked awfully big, reached for
ward and looked the Generals hand
over carefully.
Hold on he exclaimed, exctedly,
that hand doesn't win: straight
DOESN'T heat fours by n iupful