Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-05-27
PLAYED FOR A WIFE.
A NEW JERSEY WOMAN BETS HERSELF
IN A POKER GAME.

we won't git along very well tergether,
an some day L may have ter look out
fer myself agin. l don't perpose that
Bill shall hev my boats an things, 50 /
want ter give 'em ter you, an want you
ter promise me that eff ever want 'em
back you'll give 'em ter me; will ye?"
Here's my hand on it," said Trimble,
grasping Sophy's hand. ...
Eaton was not pleased with this
move. Sophy's boats and nets were val
liable, and he especially desired to have
control Of them.
"That hain't fair ter me, Sophy," he
said.
"Hain't it me and not my property
We want?" asked Sophy, gazing at
Eaton.
81 want BOTH" replied Bill Eaton.
aye don't git EN-" said Sophy. I'm
goin' ter give my boats an nets away"
'Look here, Sophy," said Eaton,
you belong to me, don't We? Iwon We
fair, didn't II"
"Yes," replied Sophy. wit
"Then I'll tell We what I'll do. I'll
bet you against yer boats an nets that
can git better hand'n you can on
cold deal, an we'll let Trimble deal the
cards."
you're playing in big luck tonight,
Bill" said Sophy.
81 know be-" replied Eaton, "an' 1
want you an your boats, too. Ye
dasn't do it."
That challenge went to the mark.
"Fll do it, Bill Eaton" cried Sophy,
"ef I die for it. Trimble, deal them
cards"
The entire population of Goshen was
in the tap room by this time, and the
spectators crowded around the players
in their eagerness to see the game in
which a woman was playing for her
freedom. Trimble dealt the cards.
81 don't believe I'll draw emmy" said
Eaton, with a grunt Of triumph, as he
spread his hand out on the table. He
had three queens and pair of jacks.
"Give me five cards." said Sophy.
"I reckon faint no use ter 60 against
Bills luck tonight"
Trimble threw down the cards face
up. The first was queen, the next
deuce, then two more deuces fell.
Another deuce would beat Eaton's full
hand. For the first time in her life
Sophy showed signs of excitement. She
chewed her lip till it bled.
Hold ON, Trimble," said she, "let's
ell have somethin' ter drink afore you
throw that last card"
"Go on with the DEAL" cried Eaton.
Everybody's sympathy was with So
ply, and Trimble quietly said: "I'm
handling these cards, Bill Eaton, an
I'll throw the last one when get
ready" .... "r.
Everybody filed his glass.
Now, boys" said Sophy, standing
mp, "ef We ever prayed for snything in
yer life. pray for another deuce"
Heres hopin' fer a deuce" cried the
men in chorus, and then poured the
liquor down their throats.
"All ready?" said Trimble.
"Ready." answered sophy.
Trimble turned the fifth card, and it
Was deuce. Sophy had won herself
away from Eaton, who went angrily
out of the room. with nothing more
substantial than about $500 of Sophy's
money.
That was memorab bic night with the
people of Goshen. The spgots in the
tap room were turned ON at Sophy's ex-
pense, and everybody celebrated in
royal fashion.
That was the last time that Sophy
ever gave a player an opportunity to
win her hand in marriage at game Of
cards. She remained single to the day
of her death, which occurred in the fall
of 1863. while she was attempting to
rescue the crew of a bark that had
foundered in a storm on the east shore,
and her body was never recovered
| Cleveland Leader.