The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-06-11

stake more money; when the other
players show their hands in succession,
and the highest hand wins every thing,
unless the original player exhibits
higher one, or puts up a stake so
high that the others refuse to cover it,
in which case they all pay to him and
look as pleasant as they can. If this
takes place, though he takes the money,
he does not show his cards. His hand
may, in fact, contain nothing; in which
case he is said to have "bluffed the
table,
Now, the highest possible hand is
what is termed q straight flush, or
flush sequence" to the ace-that is to
say, ace, king, queen, knave and ten of
one suit. This hand it is impossible to
beat when it is held by the person who
makes the first stake; for even should
another player have the extraordinary
good luck to hold an equal hand, ties
pay.
The rules of the game of poker are
extremely strict. All money betted
has to be placed on the table-ru6is sur
rongh, as the French have it.
Now had a straight flush in spades
dealt to me; was SO astonished at my
great good fortune that my hand shook
as 'planked down" my ten dollars,
and declared that stood pat
is to say, that l did not want to
better my hand by taking cards. There
were evidently lot of big hands out,
for each of the six men playing, though
it was plain that held big hand or
was simply "blufhng," increased the
dollars when it came to my turn, for l
knew that 1 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 event better'-that is to
say, increased his stake. Two of the
players caved in.
"You can't bluff me, mister" re-
marked Col Jabez Jackpotts; "1'l'
double the stakes" and he put up"
the requisite amount in notes.
Fool that I was, doubled him
again, partly because knew that I
must win, partly because I wished to
dazzle Parthenia's pepper.
But Col. Jackpotts raised" me again,
and so we went on till twenty five
thousand dollars in American notes lay
in front of each of us. 1t was FIVE
sixths of my little fortune
of all had in the world, and though I
knew that must win, I gave sigh of
relief as Col. Jackpotts quietly re-
marked:
Il guess I'll see your swagger hand,
mister
I laid my flush sequence to the ace
upon the table with triumphant smile.
Thunderstorm cried Col. Jackpotts.
Then he suddenly stretched out his
great paw and spread the cards out.
And 10! there were sic cards-ace, king,
queen, knave. ten of spades, and the
eight of hearts.
II am sorry for you, mister" re-
marked Col. Jabez Jackpotts, with q
benignant smile; ''that's a foul hand.
Hand over them chips"
had lost.
How it happened could not tell
ut must have occurred in the dealing,"
I thought.
appealed to the bystanders; 1 Of
fered to refer the matter to q we'll
known American diplomatist, 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"
Col Jabez Jackpotts carefully count
ed my great pile Of notes, and they
went into his capaoious pocketbook.
Then the party broke up.
That night I opened my soul to Mr..
Persimmon. II am a ruined man, SIR"
/ said; II have lost all / had in the
world except five thousand dollars.
had intended. Mr.. Persimmon, to ask
you for your daughters hand That's
all over now. through my absurd folly;
I shall never forgive myself, and I've
9et to begin the world again"
"Was Party fond of you, boy?" he
asked, laconically. He did not give me
time to answer. Party .oas fond of
you; she told me so herself. It's q lucky
thing for you that Party is fond of you;
for Party's sake I'll see you through
this thing. Jacxpotts Is q sharper, and
Senator Straddle and the doctor are his
accomplices.
The following even ing Mr.. Persim-
mon placed notc.case in my hand
For Party's sake" said he, ''1'm go
ing to lend you some dollars. Play
from that case, Mr.. St. John; there's
only one way Of 'besting' q scoundrel
like jackpotts, and for Party's sake,
he's got to be bested. When I give you
the signal by taking out my handker-
chief, you'll 60 on betting till alps blue,
for Jaekpotts hes got to be bssted Try
co. a.E -ssr