Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-06-21
Tht Story Irllrr.
THE OUTW[TTED GAMBLER.
by +. f, HAMILTON.

person who rejoiced in the name of
Bill Jones.
Indeed, five years ago he was ac-
knowledged king of card men from
Omaha to the Rockies, and no one
who knew him would play with him.
However, the keenest of men make
mistakes sometimes, as the following
incident will show:
Jones was located at Omaha, work
ing the road from that point west,
when one day he. received a call from
an old friend and brother rascal from
St. Louis.
"I've bird for you to pluck, Bill"
remarked the Missourian, when the
greetings were over "he's too cunning
for me, and you must come down and
help"
"What's he worth ?" inquired Jones.
"a cool thirty" replied his friend.
"Thirty thousand! That's worth
trying for. But how do you know
that he'll bite at all? know many a
man with double thirty thousand, but
their money is safe from our fingers.
They won't play, and perhaps this
fellow won't either. What do you
know of him ?''
"Well, l will tell you. This man
his name is Graves-made his money
in Texas, raising cattle. He has sold
out and is now awaiting the arrival of
a friend from New York, when both
will pull out for the California coast.
They intend to 60 into mining, I be-
lieve. Graves is green at cards, and
yet cunning, too. He has played with
us some, lost a hundred or so, but on
the whole kept about even, I reckon,
for he has a cut and deal that would
beat old Nick. The boys are disgust
ed with him, and only hanging on to
him awaiting your arrival. You must
come"
"The venture is promising one,"
said Jones, after little reflection.
"I'll CO."
On the run down the gambler in
formed himself thoroughly of the
haunts and habits Of Graves, question
ing his companion closely upon every
point.
When the two alighted from the
train at St. Louis, they were equally
we'll posted in all that pertained to
the Texan.
The game was begun carefully.
Jones was casually introduced, and
met Graves in company with other
gentlemen of leisure at various loung-
ing places about the city.
On the evening of the third day the
two met for the first time over the
cards. Both played moderately, Graves
being the winner. Neither drank nor
smoked. This did not please Jones,
for wine aided him materially, and he
always introduced it if possible.
Graves, however, always a light
drinker, could not be forced to drink
at all while playing.
The day following small party of
"bloods" visited East St. Louis, rode
about the neighboring country, and re-
turned at night in time for the theater.
After the play Jones proposed
visit to certain gambling houses of the
city but Graves declined accompanying
the party, and went home and went to
bed.
The next evening, however, he &C
cepted an invitation to a supper at
,Jones's rooms. "And now," thought
that worthy, "the bird is at last in my
trap"
There Iwere but four, select compa-
ny, and when supper was over, and the
wine on the sideboard, cards were in
troduced.
For sometime euchre, casino, or old
sledge was played, no money appear
ing upon either. At length, however,
La Grange, one of the guests, cried:
"What a hand for poker! I'll dou
Bile any gentleman here"
"Done, for fifty !" cried his compan-
ion stool pigeon, and one Sid Church,
he threw bill upon the table.
The others remained silent.
La Grange counted out 500 and
laid his cards upon the table before
him.
Church laughed.
81 thought you spoke too quick,
Charley" said he, smiingly drawing
the money toward him. "Three of
kind beats two pair, even if-they are
aces and jacks"
"You are right, by Jove! replied La
Grange; "and it has cost me some
thing to learn it. But I'll be even
with you yet. Deal again !'
And so the gambling begun.
For nearly an hour the play was
quite even, no one winning or losing
any large amount.
Then there came n change.
At one hand both La Grange and
Church threw up their cards, while
Jones and Graves remained in.
The betting was now between them
alone.
Anyone watching the faces of the
stool-pigeons would have known that
their duty was over.
Jones was to finish the game, and
fleece his victim.
Slowly but surely the game went on,
the wager increasing until the spot"
contained something like 50 900.