Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-01-09
MIR. HALLS GOOD BLUFF.

An Unknown Poker Player From Boston
Who Got the Better of Senator sharon.
Did Mrs Hall Get New Dress?
The Palace Hotel in the early Gays OF
its existence was the arena Of some piS
poker games. Senator Sharon was an
enthusiastic lover of the game, ana
when it happened that Senators stew
art and Jones, of Nevada, and Judge
Dick Mesick occurred" in the hotel d.
the same time there was sure to De Hoe
work. 1t happened upon one OF these
occasions that a certain Mr.. Hall from
Boston was at the hotel.
Mr.. Hall was smooth and afIaDle
gentleman, and completely won Sena-
tor Sharon's heart because OF his ioVe
for Byron and his excellent memory,
he being able to quote hunoreds U
lines of the poets verses Wltaout q
halt. Byron was Sharon's 1aVori.e
hard He had make his works MS
life's study, and any one who apple-
ciated him had a call on the senator
friendship. On a certain evening one
three Senators and Judge Meslek met
at the bar. 1t was just before dinner
and an appetizer was in order Even
while Ned Fay was mixing Nr, r'ail
anneared. He was at once bldden -
the social glass by Mr.. Sharon, VINO ~.
troduced him to his friends o1lo
cocktail followed another, until "
gentlemen concluded to dine tosethel,
and Mr.. Hall was invited. They dlnea
| in Sharon's rooms, and, OF COURSE ING
wine was fine and abundant "a
After dinner Mesick proposed 9 "
| lilo game of draw" No one sald Nay,
| though Mr.. Hall efficiently renial nv,
| that tbey did not play much IN boslun,
where he came from, but that SUN ~
| was willing to stand in and 90 n.s pra,
II .ook out for Hail. laughed ohaiol
| ~ never heard a man make tnal ]
| mark vet who was not TO De "a'oileu.
He spoke in jest, but his WoroS WIZ
sooth. -, ood tho
os,,a at 81 ante was inaugufatea'
| Thore was no limit. Now, win Suon
vat.rans as Mesicl., Jones ana ote"@l 7,
! nc came was not allowed to set colu
5o. lack Of chipping. The men playeu
! with VARYING success End things ran
nrettv even for an hour or so. MI.
| Eail was cautious, and drlbbled away
III checks with Indifference. Alter
one cf his deals Mr. stewart hcpped II
With . $50 bet. Jones, evidently pleas
I'd with his land, saw him and went
hin, $50 better. Meshick and SHARON
were not afraid and tuck some q the
Mo themselves. Mr. Hall, the dealer
| ecanred his hand carefully, and con-
| cluded that there was something IN II
| for him All drew-Hall one care.
AID then the fun began. Round and
| rourd again went the def. Stewart
end Jones dropped cut. Mcsick stood
| q few mere raises and then retired,
leaving the fight to Sharon and Hail
There was by this time $4,000 IN the
III raise you $4,000, Mr. Hall"
| said Sharon. his thin lips set and his
voice lew and determined.
| Halls answer was to ring the bell,
and when the waiter appeared he ask
/ ed him for q blank California bank
| check
Il presume, gentlemen, my check is
gccd as cash, he said politely.
Certainly, sir" replied Senator
! Sharon, ''ycu see our checks in the pot
I already
Slowly and deliberately Hall filled
/ cut the check, signed it, and spread
the blotter over it without 9 tremcr.
Then ne pushed it quietly to. tie 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
| some moments. Halls c0rposare was
perfect. There was a faM smile Of con
fiGence on his face, but no indication
Of boaStfulnes1 or excitement.
MT Hail." said Sharon, Il feel sure
you hold the better hand, and | do not
care to waste my nancy. The pot is
yours. sir
! Without any appearance Of eXutatiCn
Hall raked in the coin, bills ana checks.
separating them, and put them in his
| pocket. Meanwhile his hand lay face
| down upon the table.
"Mr. Hail." said Sharon, Il will give
you 500 if you will show me your
hand"
Senator Sharon replied the Bcs-
tonian, 'it is not enough Nor would I
show it to you row for $1,000 Still
to s'5t'sfy your curiosity will put this
hand in an envelope, zeal it up in your
presence, and put it in the hotel safe,
to be called for by you ten days hence.
But upon this condition: That you will
put $250 in al envelope, to so into the
hotel safe, and to be delivered to me
nine days hence"
Sharon reflected for a few minutes.