The sun., 1897-12-05
MIR. HALL's GOOD BLUFF.
An Unknown Poker Player from Boston who
Got tho Better OF Senator sharon.
From the San Francisco Ne,cs Letter.

From the San Francisco Ne,ps Letter.
The Palace Hotel in the early days of its ex.
istcnce was the arena of some big poker games
Senator Sharon was an enthusiastic lover of
the game, and when it happened that Senators
Stewart and Jones of Nevada and Judge Dick
Mesick occurred" in the hotel at the same
time, there was sure to be hot work. 1t hap.
pened upon one of these occasions that GER
tain Mr.. Hall from Boston was at the hotel.
Mr.. Hall was a smooth and affable gentle
man, and completely won Senator Sharon's
heart because of biz love for Byron and his ex-
cellent memory. he being a BILE to quote hundreds
Of lines of the poets verse without a halt
Byron was Sharon's favorite bard. He had
made his works his life's study, and any one
WHO appreciated him had call on the Sena.
tor 5 friendship. On certain evening the
three Senators and Judge Mesick met at the
bar. 1t was just before dinner. and an appe.
tizer was in order. Even while Ned Fay was
mixing, Mr.. II all appeared. He was at once
hidden to tho social glass by Mr.. Sharon, who
introduced him to his friends. One cocktail
followed another. until the gentlemen concluded
S dine Sns togetheE n and Mr. Hall was invited
the wine was fine and abundant.
After dinner Mesick. proposed little game
dffidently remarked that they did not play
much in Boston. where he came FROM but that
still oo wiling or 10 nS anbsS in s1d hs
was not to bc watched" He spoke in Jest but
his words were sooth.
The cards were produced and tho game at
81 ante was inaueurated There was no limit
for lack of chipping. The men played with
Mr. ' m was Tan pFefg Snd
dTib6ied away W his S checks with indifference
his hand, saw him and went $50 better Me.
sick and sharon were not afraid, and took
o., scanned his hand carefully, and concluded
that there was something in it for him. All
gan. Round and round again went the def :"
stewart eva and Jones dropped out Mesick stood
ant to Sharon and T hall I Tbcre iea iesVing m me he
I'm raise you $4,000, Mr. Hail." said sha-
Cermined.
Halls answer was to ring the bell, and when
the waiter appeared he asked him for blank
California Bank check.
81 PrSesumis gentlemen my check is good
cerainis, M sir RC'eAi re6od Senator Sharon, you
slowly and deliberately Hall filled out tho
to the centre of the table and said:
Won si havS oos seen en- your $4,000 Senator, and go
sharon looked at him steadily for some mo-
was a half smile OF confidence on his face, but
no indicatipn OF boastfulncss or excitement.
"Mr. Hail. said Sharon, Il feel sure you
hold the better hand, and do not care to waste
my yyi,y money. The pot Is yours; sir"
raked In the coin, bills, and checks, separating
nc them, Pan and put them in his pockets, Meanwhile
Mr.: Hail." said Sharon, II will give you
800 If you will show me your hand"
is not enough. Nor would ! show IL to you
now for ~ 900. Still, TO satisfy your curiosity
! VIII put this hand in an envelope, seal it up
IN your presence. and put 1t in tho MOTEL safe to
, DC called f2r by you ten days hence But upon
envelope. to go into the hotel SAFE and to be de-
liVered TO me nine days hence"
sharon reflected for few minutes. 1t was
n struggle between curiosity and coin. Finally
curiosity conquered, and both envelopes were
sealed and intrustcd 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.