Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-05-31
a VERY QUEER DEAL.
IN A FAMOUS GAME OF DRAW POKER
IN OLD DAKOTA.
The Dealer Gave His Rival Four
jacks and Himself Four Queens.
When the Show Down Came, the
Jacks Had Turned to Aces.

| Jacks Had Turned to Aces.
In the northwest they still talk about
the last poker game that Major Ed
wards and Stanley Huntley played to-
gether. They were pioneer editors of
newspapers in Dakota in the old terri
torial days. Huntley had just sold his
paper in Bismarck for 50, 500 cash and
was coming east. He and the major had
sat in many a quiet game together, and
Huntley went over TO the majors Office
TO say goodby and play one last game
The major produced the cards. locked
| the door. and the two faced a green ia
bic.
The major had the reputation of be-
ing a skillful dealer. and Huntley's
previous experiences had taught him
that cards sometimes appeared in the
majors hand on show Down whose
legitimate existence could only be ac
counted for on the hypothesis that the
age of miracles had not passed. So he
had fortified himself for this farewell
game not only with the 81, 500 which
he had received for his newspaper prop
erty, but also with four large but not
overworked aces.
There was no limit, but for an hour
the game went along quietly enough.
The major was out $500 or $500, but,
as both players remarked, the game was
young yet" At last jack pot for $50
came and remained. Back and forth
across the table went the deck. Neither
man could get openers. Each time the
deal passed the pot was sweetened $40
At last there was $3.50 on the table
The major dealt. Huntley looked over
his cards and found four jacks
AS has been said, the major was a
slick dealer, and when a big pool was
mt stake and il was his deal he gener-
ally managed to give his opponent
good stiff hand. while taking care that
he himself had one Just a shade better.
So, when Huntley found the four
jacks in his hand it seemed to him that
the time had come to precipitate his
four aces into action. The jacks were
retired unostentatiously. and with a
faint-a very faint-shade of disap-
pointment in his voice Huntley an
nounced:
~ can't break IT -
The major was still examining his
cards with that hesitating air that some
people always believe means studying
out straight. Finally he said:
IN have TO break it for 5000. It's a
big pot. -
Hrntley looked mournful and said
.'I'll stay. Gimme Il card.
"None for me. announced the major
briskly. as he threw over card and
laid down the deck. III bet you $500.
I'm raise you $500" said Huntley
Five hundred more. " said the major.
'When | sat down" said Huntley.
II had 81, 500 in my pocket I'll raise
you the full amount of that on this one
hand. If l lose. I'm broke -
The major took another look at his
hand and replied:
II haven't got as much as that in
cash. III make out bill of sale of the
and plant, newspaper and all.
and put that in the POT. If you win.
you can hold it till tomorrow, when III
settle. "
"Go ahead" said Huntley.
The major wrote out the bill of sale
and threw the slip of paper into the pot
on top of the big pile of greenbacks.
Both men had emptied their pockets.
Now I'll call you, said the major.
"Fours," said Huntley, and he laid
down his four one spots. The major
never flinched. He examined the aces,
one after another. Then he laid down
his hand and said briefly:
"You win, Stanley. All had was
four queens.
The next day the major redeemed his |
bin of sale and Huntley came to New |
York and began to write the ''Spoopen- |
dyke Papers. which We're first publish |
ed in the Brooklyn Eagle. He's been |
dead for years now.
About two years after the famous |
poker game Major Edwards was visit
ing New York. and he looked up Hunt
ley. They dined together at the Astor |
House. After coffee and when the cigars |
had been lighted the major said;
Stanley. of course when gentlemen |
like you and l play poker together |
there's never any question about the |
game being straight. But there's one |
thing that's been puzzling me for two |
years, and l want to ask yOu about it.
Go ahead, major, said Huntley. |
putting his cigar.
STANLEY, why in thunder did you |
refuse TO open that last jack pot when |
you had four jacks in Your hand p
Major. returned Huntley thought
fully. laying down his cigar. .'who
dealt that last hand?'
IL did. Stanley" said the major
We'll, then, major, since four aces |
won the pct. how in thunder could it
have been straight game?''
That's So" said the major re. |
fectively. Lets get a cab and go TO |
some theater. New York Press.
-. 90 81. Mai. RorI