Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-04-03
A NOVEL BANK SECURITY

l u L.
Miss Nancy Norton, now Of
Philadelphia, but formerly of Rich
mond, has written a very bright
little story for the Philadelphia
CoU, which was ore of the three
p'ize winners of that paper. The
title Of the narrative is "a Novel
Bunk Security" and here is the
story:
AT the poker-table that winter
afternoon four men were playing,
and two were looking on. The
game was running rather high.
though that was not an unusual
thing to happen in Montana. The
men were all past their first youth
except Jack Vernon, and he played
in hard luck throughout the whole
evening; in fact, Jack always did
seem to have poor luck, though he
Was a live and interesting fellow.
thoroughly liked by all classes. He
had not been in Helena over six
months, but in that short period
had managed to see and learn
good bit of Western life and West
ern ways, and, what was worst, a
good bit too much of Western
poker games 1t was nearly s p.
m, when, finding his losings were
something like six the u:and dol.
llrs, back modify announced to
Martin Dunn, seated on his left, he
thought he had enough of poker for
one day, and after the approaching
jackpot ne was going to cry quits.
Martin paid no attention to the
speech, for John Broader was deal
ing at the time, and Martin had a
way as each card was dealt to him
self of looking at it long and loving
ly, until the next card was dealt,
and 50 on until he he d all five
tightly squeezed in his hand,
Besides, Martin Dunn was taciturn
player Conseryahve--Sam Howard
called him; but then Sam would say
anything just to be talking All
during the game he had been
bubbhng over with spirits, and kept
up on unceasing yolley Of witty
epigrams and shallow, well worded
sophistries, which tended to rattle
the other players. After the deal.
Sam finished one Of his bright,
longdrawled salies, and said,
loudly, 81 open this jackpot, boys,
for what's in there. Draw yer
cards an we'll make it a show
down, being as its fair sized pot
alreCdy.'
AS Broader dealt himself the last
card, each man with apparent in
difference studied his cards. Then
the discards were thrown aside, and
Broader dealt to each the number
called for.
In the center OF the table was
money to the amount OF some ten
thousand dollars, the largest amount
played for that night. StraightS
and hushes were barred. At the
conclusion Of the draw each man
held remarkable hands of four card,
alike and Jack Vernon, drawing to
a pair OF aces, now held four-the
best hand that could be held. The !
game was played among men who
req uired money TO be put up, and as
every man carefully and confidently
pn.hsd the required amount to the
middle of the table, Jack Vernon
Tound himselfwithOut a dollar. A
plan suddenly developed into his
brain.
"Gentlemen," he said, IL find my
elf without the money for this
ackpot, but if you will give me
ew minutes to cross the street and
ret the necessary sum from the
7irst National Bank | will come in
N this. You can send any man
With me you wish he added.
After a short consulate n the
nen agre d. They changed their
,ositions, lit their cigars, and {
to wait. Jones, one of {
he onlookers, was appointed to ;
company Vernon.
Jack rose, took his cards with
i'm, and then he and Jones sumter T
| out. s
Reaching the bank they we're 4