Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11

fidential tone to the coachman, "wot do
you Frisco fellers allow to be the best.
biggest and r,skiest gsmblin' SALOON herer
Suthtn' ffgh toned, you known"
The negro grinned. It was the usual
case Of the extravagant, spendthrift miner
though perhaps he mad expected a different
question and order.
"Dey is de Polka de Eel Dorado and
de Arcade saloon. boss" he said. flick
Ing his whip meditatively. Most gents
from de mines prefer de Polka. for dey
Is dancing wild de gals frown in. But de
real prima facie place for gents who go
for buckin' again de tiger and straight
out gamblin' is de Arcade"
Drive there like thunderr' said Uncle
Billy. leaping into the carriage. :.
True tc his word. Uncle Billy was at
his partners shanty early the next morn
ing. He looked 4 little tired, but happy,
and had brought a draft with him for
$o15. which he explained was the total
of his capital Uncle Jim was overjoyed.
They would start for Napa that very day
and conclude the purchase of the ranch
Uncle Jim's' sprained foot was a sufficient
reason for his giving up his present voca-
tieu, which he could also sell at a small
profit. His domestic arrangements were
very simple; there was nothing to take
with hiGl-there was everything to leave
behind. And that afternoon at sunset the
two reunited partners were seated on the
deck CT the Napa boat as she swung into
the stream.
Uncle Billy was gazing over the rail-
ing with q look of distracted relief toward
the Golden Gate, where the sinking sun
seemed to be drawing toward him in the
ocean golden stream that was forever
pouring from the bay and the three-hilled
city beside 1t. What Uncle Billy was think
i1g of or what the picture suggested to
him did not trarspire. for Uncle Jim who
embroidered by his holiday, was luxuratin
In an evening paper, suddenly uttered
;ong-drawn whistle. and moved closer to
cd ~ poly he
said, pointing to a paragraph he had evil
IDENTIFY just read, Just you listen to this
and see If We amt lucky you and me- to
be Jest wot we air-trustin' to our own
hare work-and not thinkin' o. strikes
and fortins. Jest unbutton yer ears, Billy
while 1 reel off this yer thing I've list
struck in the papers, and see what id
fools some men kin make O. themselves
And that theer reporter wot wrote Unjust
hev seed ii reely!'
Uncle Jim cleared his throat, and hold
ing the paner close to his eyes, read aloud
slowly:
palmy days of 40 was witnessed last night
at the Arcade saloon. A stranger who
might have belonged to that reckless epoch,
and who bore every evidence of being a
ST ccessful Pike county miner out on
Spree appeared at one of the tables with
negro coachman bearing two heavy bags Of
gold. Selecting a faro bank as his base of
operations, he began to bet heavily and
Will apparent TeCkieSSneSS, until MS play
excited the b-eathless attention of every
one. In a few moments he had won a sum
variously estimated at from $4,000 to $780,
600. A rumor went round the room that it
was a concerted attempt to break the
bank, rather than the drunken freak of
western miner. daZzled by some successful
strike. To this theory the mans careless
and Indifferent bearing toward his extra
ordinary gains lent great credence The
attempt, IL such 1t was. however. was I'LL
successful. After winning ten times in sue
cession. the luck turned, and the unfortu-
nate 'bucker' was cleaned out, not only of
his gairs. but of his original investment,
which may be placed roughly at $4,000.
This extraordinary play was witnessed by
crowd of excited players. who were less
impressed ny even the magnitude of the
stakes than the perfect sang froid and
recklessness of the player. who. it is said.
at the close of the game with lberaIiy
tossed a $40 gold piece to the banker and
smilingly withdrew. The man was not rec
ognized by any of the habitues of the place"
"There," said Uncle Jim. as he hurriedly
slurred over the French substantive at the
close, did We ever see such God-forsaken
foolishness?"
Uncle Billy lifted his distracted eyes from
the current. still pouring its unreturning
gold into the sinking sun, and said, with
deprecatory smile, Never
Nor even in the days of prosperity that
visited the Great Wheel ranch of Fall and
Foster did he ever tell his secret to his
partner.