Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-03-19
A Novel Bank Security

Miss Nancy Norton, now OF Ph.la-
delpbia, but formerly of Richmond,
has written a very bright little story
for the Philadelphia Call, which was
one of the three prize-winners Of that
paper. The title of the narrative is
"A Novel Bank 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 through.
out the whole evening in fact, Jack
always did seem to have poor luck,
though lie was 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 a good bit
OF Western life and Western ways,aud,
what was worst, good bit too much
Of Western poker games 1t was
nearly 6p. m., when, finding bis losings
were something Ike SIX thousand dol
lars, Jack mooily announced to Mar
Tin Dunn, seated on his left, he thought
he had had enough of loker for one
day, and after the approaching jack
pot he was going to cry quits.
Martin paid no attention to the
speech. for John Broader was dealing
at the time, and Martin had way as
each card was dealt to himself of look
ing at it long and lovingly, until the
next card due was dealt, and so on
until he held all five tightly squeezed
in his hand. Besides, Martin Dunn
was a tociturn player-Conservauye
Sam Howard called him; but then
Sam would say anything just to be
talking All during the game he had
been bubbIng over with spirits, and
| kept up an unceasing volley 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
sallies, and said, loudly, Il open tins
jackpot, boys, for what's in there.
Draw yer cards, an We'll make 1t a
show down, being as its fair-sized
pot already
As Broader dealt himself the last
card, each man with apparent indif-
ference studied his cards. Thea the
discards were thrown aside, and
Broaderdealt to each thenumber called
for.
In the center of the table was mon
ev 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 eldrenarkable hands
of four cards alike and Jack Vernon,
drawing to a pair of aces, now held
four-the best hand that could be held.
The game was played am0hg men who
required money to be put up, and as
every man carefully and confidently
pushed the required amount to the
middle Of the table, Jack Vernon
found himself without a dollar 4
plan suddenly developed INTO his
brain.
"Gentlenen, be said, Il find my
self without the money for this jack
pot, but if you will give me few min
utes to cross the street and get the
necessary sum from the First National
Bank l will comein on this. You can
send any man with me you wish, he
added.
After a short consultation the men
agreed. They changed their posi-
tlons, lit their cigars, and prepared to
wait Jones, one OF the OuIookels
was appointed to accompany Vernon.
Jack rose, took his cards with hun
and then he and Jones sauutered out.
Reaching the bank they were ad-
mitted by the cashier, who knew Jone'
but slightly; Vernon not atall.
Mr. Kissam, began Vernon, after
the introduction. u want $4,000
now-must have it, he added, EN-
phaticaIly.
This is an unusual time to borrow
such a sum, Mr.. vernon, announced
the cashier, severely.
"Oh, hang the unusual time, Pu
IN Vernon. Let me have It for only
FIVE minutes. and III agree to pay yo'
interest for every minute have 1t.
The cashier Was surprised. The mex
question was expected.
"What security can you offer?
Jones smiled, az Vernon hastily hel'
r, N the cashiers astonished gaZ