The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-02

IN the discartl:s and deck and threw them
into the open stove.
colonel + propose 10 see them CARDS
Of vourn VIII you trust me on the nom
or of a gentleman 10 leave the room Tor
more money? Write your own name Oh
the back Of each caro-.
rrbe colonel did as requested and pass
al [,,er his hand face downward for Love
a. mark. Then Love left the room. lie
hent his footsteps toward the larger OF
Tho two hanks of Reno. At the doorway
ne encountered the president OF the IN
stitution. George Thomas. Pulling MS
cards from his pocket he laid them be-
fore Thomas. and said: g..
George me and the colonel Is a-goln
It, what's them WORTH?
Thomas ewes fairly stood out Of their
sockets az he surveyed the pasteboards.
"rhem's wuth the whole sheebang, he
replied.
4 few minutes later Thomas withHhis
rockets bullying. accompanied Love To,
the Reno hotel parlor.
"Colorel this gentleman sees yo' raise
and raises you a thousand Love said
iAving a stack Of bills on the table with.
the heap Of greenbacks and gold.
The colonel glanced at Thomas. wait
ten minutes No gentleman would offer
papah." he said. and he forthwith dis
appeared from the room. He walked
around the corner OF the hotel To the,
second bank Of Reno. stepping 20 thee
cashiers window he asked for "Bill Daw-.
son" the owner OF the institution Bill
came around the partition
'.Bnl. look at these an tell me what
yo' think they IS wuth.
A glance suftlced Bill. Holy snakes
and grasshoppers. he said. colonel
them is worth every cent I'm this bank"
Two minutes later Bill Dawson and tho
colonel appeared at the hotel parlor
Dawson saw Thomas and nudged the
colonel The two bankers glared at each
other. mlt neither spoke.
See you and raise you five thousand
the colonel said, laying a pile of bills in
the heap.
Bv this time the news OF the fierce
poker game had spread about Reno and
a score of miners were soon crowding
about the players. Thus the betting went
on. 5000 al "a time. until the resources ~
both banks were exhausted. Loves last
bet was $500 and the colonel called it.
Every one in the room stood on tiptOe
and the deepest silence prevailed. for
every one knew that the fate Of one Of
the two banks hinged on those poker
hands Love looked so serious that his
old acquaintances standing near gaZed
i'm wonder at him With elaboration he
threw his five cards, on which hinged
the fate of Thomas or Dawson's bank
on the table before him. face downward
Colonel. look at that writin and tell
the boys If those are the I'VE cards l
held In the game" ne said.
The colonel looked at his signature on
the back Of each card and after nodding
assent he laid his hand face downward
for Loves inspection.
"AH right. colonel" Love said.
Thomas and Dawson. both confident
were glaring at each other when Love
turned over one card IL was the ace Of
SPADES. The miners Teamed forward and
Love turned over the ace Of hearts Then
he EXPOSED the ace Of clubs. Dawson and
the colonel looked at each other and
both colored slightly. Then Love turned
over the tray OF spade.N The two men
looked wOnderingly at e ach other Thcy
knew that the next card meant life or
death for DawsOns bank. Love did not
hesitate a moment before lac turned over
the ace Of diamonds. The colonel and
Dawson seemed stunned for moment.
The colonel was the first 10 act Taking
ND his five cards he tore them In two,
and walking over 10 the stove threw
them into the fire. Dawson looked at
Love as he raked the pile Of currency.
gold and silver TO his side Of the table.
Then he left the room and three min
utes later the doors Of DawsOn's bank
were closed for all me-Inter-Ocean.