The Ravalli Republican., 1898-09-07
Mr.. HALL's GOOD BLUFF.

of its existence 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 Alesick "oc-
Cured" in the hotel at the same
time there was sure to be hot work.
It happened upon one Of these occa-
sjons that certain Mr. Hall from
Boston was at the hotel.
Mr.. Hall was smooth and affable
gentleman, and completely won Sen
ator Sharons S heart because Of his
love for Byron and his excellent
memory, he being able toQuote hun
dreds of lines Of the poets verse
without a halt Byron was Sharon's
favorito bard. He had made his
works his lifo's study, and any one
who appreciated him had a call OF
the senator S friendship.
On a certain evening the three
senators and Judge nit7siok met at
the bar. II was just before dinner
and an appetizer was in order. Even
while Ned Fay was mixing Mr. Hall
appeared He was at once bidaen to
the social glass by Mr.. Sharon, who
introduced him to his friends. One
cocktail followed another until the
gentlemen concluded to dine togeth-
IJ,,1 i,,1,r+pf1 FHl,o;7
dined in Sharon's S rooms, and of
course the wine was fine and album
dant.
After dinner Mesick proposed q
little game of "draw.' No one said
nay, though Mr.. Hall diEfidently re-
marked that they did not play much
in Boston, where he came from, but
that still he was willing to stand in
and do his best.
"Looz out for Hail." laughed
Sharon. 'Inever heard a man make
that remark yet who was not to be
watohed.'' He spoke in jest, but his
words were sooth.
The cards were produced and the
game at 81 ante was naugurated.
There was no limit. Now, with such
veterans as Mesick, Jones and Stew
art the pot was not allowed to get
cold for lack of chipping. The men
played with varying success, and
things ran pretty even for an hou1
or SO. Mr.. Hall was cautious, and
dribbled away his checks with in
difference After one Of his deals
Mr.. Stewart hoped in witt. a S2(
bet. Jones, evidently pleased with
his hand, saw him and went $50 bet
ter. Mesick and Sharon were no
afraid and took some of the pie
themselves Mr.. Hall, the dealer
scanned his hand carefully and con
cluded that there was something il
it for him. All drew-Hall one card
And then the fun began. Round ant
round again went the "dofi.' y Stew
art and Jones dropped out Mesic]
stood a few moro raises and then re
tired, leaving the fight to Sharon
and Hall. There was by this tim
$40, 0,G00 in the pot.
"I'll raise you SO, 900, Mr.. Hall,
said Sharon, his thin lips set and hi
voice low and determined.
Halls answer was to ring tn
bell, and when the waiter appeare
he asked him for blank Californi
bank check.
Il presume, gentlemen, my chec
is good as cash." he said politely.
Certainly, sir, replied Senate
Sharon. "You see our checks in til
pot already" "
Slowly and deliberately Hall file
out tho check, signed it and sprea
the blotter over it without 4 tremo]
Then he pushed it quietly to til
center OF the table and said:
. ~ have seen your sl0, ,000, SCI
ator, and 50 you $4,000 better. .
Sharon looked at him steadily fc
some moments. Halls composu1
was perfect There was half smi
of confidence on his face, but no il
dication OF boastfulness or eAcit
ment.
"Mr. Hall, +" said Sharon, II fe
sure you hold tho better hand, al
! do not care to waste my none
The pot is yours, sir.
Without any appearance OF exu
tation Hall raked in the coin, bill
and checks, separating them, al
put them in his pockets. MeanWhi
his hand lay face down upon tt
table.
"Mr. Hail." said Sharon, II W
give you 800 if you will show L
your hand.
"Senator Sharon replied Il
Bostonia1., lit is not enough. N
would | show it to you now for S
900. Still, to satisfy your curiosit
will put this hand in an enveloI
seal it up in your presence and p
it in the hotel safe, to be called f
by you ten days hence. But up
this conditions: That you will p
$3.50 in an envelope, to go into t
hotel safe and to be delivered to I
nine days hence. y
Sharon reflected for q few hi
,1taS Tt was q ST tr17pplp hptw on