The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20
A BIT OF POKER ETHICS
QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE PUL BIZ 4
KEEN OBSERVER.

enough, Ihht no Ioio Fehy Aae.
Lat 20 the anchor" cried the skipper.
-Four poker hands were slapped down on The
cabin table and tour land lubbers started In TOUR
different directions 70 obey the order.
You're H. Penfeld," said the skipper 70 the man
who came nearest 70 obeying the orders That Is
the rope right In front OF you
Ponneld let the anchor drop and the yacht was
presently riding quietly.
Nov, SEQ here" SAID the skipper, little man
with large inspirations, Il have put up with you
fellows long enough II is quite evident that you
will never learn the name sothe different parts OF
yacht and am going TO a. things 30 that you will
know at once what want done and you oan obey
me in turn instead OF all jumping deck at onoe'
Acting on his inspiration, he took discarded
poker deck and fastened a card 10 each article TO
garding which he might be Obliged 70 issue an or
der. Immediately he had an Intelligent and ser
viceabe crow. When he called out 10 let 20 the
king OF clubs" or TO take in the queen OF hearts"
the landubbers jumped to their proper places like
old sea dogs With this satisfactory arrangement
thoy were able 10 continue their poker Rame with
but lew Interruptions When an order was called
one man could attend to IL with the others laid
their cards on the table and waited, instead all
rushing away In iour different directions In the
hope that ono would be in the right place 70 perform
the required service
And now that the situation Ia known. Won must
get acquainted with the players Chie1 q, tho
group was John Balm millionaire who onoe an
nounced in a burst OF unusual confidence that he
never played tor more than a fivedoIlar ante Tor
when one got above that he was gambling. Or
course he looked on any game with A Iimi, on a an
merely a showdown and the others in the marty
suspected that he was showing condescension TO
them when he took a hand in their little dollar
limit game When he PLAYED poker the cards
occupied a secondary part: Tor he played the men
moro than anything elsa He seldom paid any
attention TO the cards during the frs, lew rounds
but devoted himself To noting how the different
players acted when they battered their hands in the
draw. He asserted his right 10 use every TACT he
could observe in a game OF poker and the keenness
OF his observation was marvellous II Is recorded
that on one occasion he met man with A oorpora-
ton lace who proved to be a worthy toeman Nv
dint OF close watching however he finally dissover
cred that his rival had one weakness Whom he
bettered his hand. although he never changed .
muscle OF his lace or showed the slightest tIemo,
OF his well trained voice the little finger n, his LETT
hand twitcbed perceptbIv RANKING on tbis
knowledge Balm had beaten the other man N .
standstL With such a player In the game il
naturally followed that everyone was keyed up TO
to his best; tor the smooth lcathery like lace and
steel grey eyes made one 1ecl that the game was
presided over by the iates themselves
The most enthusiastic player Was Will psns.,d
a young married man who used N te, about bic
wonderful baby. when they were not pI.vino and
who was enjoyine bis first outing snn. HE
married lite began. From his conversation /, va,
easy TO see that he was one OF the most u,o,ious
nj men His wife knew all ahou,biohu.;,.. ~
was his chief adviser. The sole reason for his
presence In the party was that his wife was still
young and had ideas about allowing husband a
proper amount OF freedom She had urged him 10
takethis holdayand be one OF the boys again He
enjoyed himself Ikea halt broken colt turnedout TO
pasture and kept up enthusiastically the game OF
poker which Balm took part in sostolidly Elkins
the third member OF the party need not be especi-
ally described he was one of those sell
men who enjoy themselves without the inobtrusiye
ana may DO oorod without showing 1t. He could
Always DC counted on 10 take a hand in game OF
poker Wherever ana whenever proposed As TOR
'he ias' MEMBER Hml'h. he possesses some high
priced information about the gameW hich he would
"iiiihgly dispose oil 70 some itch beginner who Is
hopiyoiessed win beginners luck
G.-a H., 1878 49,