Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-05
A BIG POKER GAME.
The Gambler Met His Match and Lost
His Pile.

HIS me.
From the ST. Louis Republic.
Speaking of gambling on the Missouri,
an incident was related to me that trans
pired in the late '30's, where three notori-
Gus gamblers had fieeced number of pas
sengers on their westward trip.
young husband, with wife and child,
and some 500 in cash, was. looking for
investment in some prospective western
city. The gamblers inveigled him into a
game of euchre. just to pass away the
time. which wore isluggishly upon them,
and at the proper moment introduced
poker. The boss. shark of the party sat
opposite his victim, while his pals! occupied
the other positions at the table. After a
few games one of the pals said:
Il wish we were playing poker, for
would like to bet on my hand"
so do l., said another and I'll bet
you $40"
The money was put up, when the boss
discovered he had pretty fair hand and
came in. Then some one outside of the
game, but party with the gamblers, saw
that the victim held four kings and urged
him to bet big. The victim covered the $40
and raised it $1,000, and the boss saw his
$1,000 and raised it $1,000, all the young
man had. But sure thing like that wasn't
to be found every day. and the victim saw
the gamblers $1,000 and called him OF
course, the gambler held four aces, and
the table and sought his wife in the ladies'
cabin, where, putting his arms around her
neck, he exclaimed:
I'VE are ruined! l have lost every cent?
The sad scene made an impression upon
several who witnessed it, but especially up
on middle-aged gentleman who had been
watching the game and also saw the
wretchedness of the pair He walked back
to the gamblers, who We're getting up from
the table preparatory to leaving the boat
and catch another one with fresh lot
of suckers, and said:
Have you quit the game?"
Not yet Do you wish to play?"
Certainly. What is the game and lmit?'
Poker, without limit
The gamblers had robbed the passengers
out of about $4,000 and had a stake be-
Two or three games We're played to dis
arm their intended VICTIM and then bust
ness opened up in good shape. The first
gambler bet $1,000, the next one raised him
$1,000, and the third put up his $1,000. The
stranger saw that and went $4,000 better
The gamblers We're clated with the snap,
but the two pals quit the game and left
the boss and stranger to fight it out The
gambler said
Il see your $4,000, go you $4,000 better
and give you fifteen minutes to call mel
l don't need it, said the stranger, who
had sized up the amount the gamblers pos
sessed. Mr.. Clerk, bring out several boxes
OF my money and pile them upon the table.
Now. said he to the gambler, Il see your
$4,000 and raise you $4,000, and give you
thirty minutes to call me-
The gambler had staked his last dollar
and was white and nervous as the young
benedict he had skinned less than an hour
before.
Take down the $4,000 and call me- for
have staked all my money"
Mo- said the stranger. II will show
you the same mercy you show your VIC
TINS And, looking down the barrel of a
six-shooter, the gambler waived his
rights under the game according to
Hoyle.
The boxes of money were returned to the
clerks Office and with the winnings he
sought the ladies' cabin and paid the young
wife the 5000 her husband had lost and
got his promise to never gamble again.
Every loser on the boat had his money
back. but the gamblers, and they left at
the first landing,
Several days afterward the boat landed
at an Italian trading post called Robidoux,
at the mouth of a small stream named
Blacksnake, and the gentleman shook
hands with the people he had made happy,
which included all the passengers and Off
GERS besides. and took his departure,
Captain" said the grateful young hus-
band, who is that generous gentleman
That, sir, is Joseph Robidoux, Indian
trader and owner of nearly all the land you
see on this side of the river"
The beautiful city of st. Joseph, with its
100000 Inhabitants today, Is old Robidoux,
and some people claim that St. Joseph
means st. Joseph Robidoux.