The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-12

MIR. HALLS GOOD BLUFF.
An Unknown Poker Player From
Boston Who Got the Better of sem

atOr sharon.
From the San Francisco News Letter.
The Palace hotel in the early days of its
existence was the arena of some big poker
games Senator Sharon was an enthusiast
tic lover of the game and when it happened
that Senators Stewart and Jones of Neva-
da and Judge Dick Mesick occurred" in
the hotel at the same time, there was sure
to be hot work 1t happened upon one
of these occasions that a certain Mr.. Hall
from Boston was at the hotel.
Mr.. Hall was a smooth and affable gem
tleman, and completely won Senator Sha-
ron's heart because of his love for Byron
and his excellent memory he being able
to quote hundreds of lines of the poets
verse without a halt Byron was Sharon'5
favorite bard. He had made his works
his lifes study. and any one who appre-
ciated him had a call on the Senator's
friendship On a certain evening the
three Senators and Judge Mesick met at
the bar. 1t was just before dinner, and
an appetizer was in order Even while
Ned Fay was mixing, Mr. Hall appeared.
He was at once hidden to the social glass
by Mr.. Sharon, who introduced him to his
friends. One cocktail followed another,
until the gentlemen concluded to dine to-
gether, and Mr. Hall was invited. They
dined in Sharons rooms, and of course
tA4C NAlLC WetS int anu dDultdnl.
After dinner Mesick proposed a little
game of draw" No one said nay, though
Mr.. Hall diffidently remarked that they
did not play much in Boston, where ha
came from, but that still he was willing to
stand in and do his best
Look out for Hail." laughed Sharon. II
never heard a man make that remark yet
who was not to be watched He spoke
in jest, but his words were sooth.
The cards were produced, and the game
at 81 ante was inaugurated. There was
no limit. Now, with such veterans as
Mesick, Jones, and Stewart, the pot was
not allowed TO get cold for lack of chip
ping. The men played with varying sue
cess, and things ran pretty even for am
hour or so. Mr.. Hall was cautions, ana
dribbled away his checks with indiffer-
ence. After one of his DEALS Mr.. Stewart
hoped in with a 500 bet. Jones, evidently
pleased with his hand, saw him and went
$50 better Mesick and Sharon were not
afraid, and took some of the pie them
selves. Mr.. Hall, the dealer, scanned his
hand carefully, and concluded that there
was something in it for him. All drew
Hall one card. And then the run began.
Round and round again went the 'defi.''
Stewart and Jones dropped out. Mesick
stock a few more raises and then retired,
leaving the fight to Sharon and Hall. There
was by this time $4,000 in the pot.
'Iu raise you $4,000 Mr.. Hail." said
SHARON, his IHiD ups set anu MS VOICE low
and determined y
Halls answer was to ring the bell, and
when the waiter appeared he asked him
for blank California Bank check
Il presume, gentlemen, my check is good
as cash" he said politely. ------
Certainly, sir" replied Senator Sharon
you see our checks in the post already
Slowly and deliberately Hall filled out the
check, signed it, and spread the blotter
over it without a tremor. Then he pushed
it quietly TO the center of the table and
said:
Il have seen your $4,000, senator, and
go you $4,000 better"
Sharon looked at him steadily for sons
moments. Halls composure was perfect.
There was a half smile of confidence on
his face, but no indication of boastfulness
or excitement.
Mr.. Hail." said Sharon, 81 feel sure
you hold the better hand, and 1 do not
care to waste my money. The pot is
yours sir"
without any appearance of exultations
Hall ralIed in the coin, bills and checks
separating them, and put them in his
pockets. Meanwhile his hand lay, face
down, upon the table.
Mr.. Hail." said Sharon, 'I will give
you $100 if you will show me your hand.'
Senator Sharon" replied the Boston-
ian, ''it Is not enough. Nor would l show
it to you now for 81 coo Still, to satisfy
your curiosity, 1 win put this hand in an
envelope, seal 1t up in your presence and
put it in the hotel safe, to be called for
by you ten days hence. But upon this con-
dition. That you win put $3.50 In an en-
velope, to go into the hotel SAFE and to
be delivered to me nine days hence"
Sharon reflected for few minutes II
was a struggle between curiosity and
coin. Finally curiosity conquered, and
both envelopes were sealed and entrusted
to the custody of the clerk. When the
ten days elapsed Mr. Sharon called for his
package, and examined the hand. Nothing
but pair of deuces and ten high. He
had been the victim of a colossal bluff.