The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-08-16
LOVE THE STAKES.

the claim was paying or losing II
mattered not; both were apparently
happy and contented Occasionally
Pete would start out on jag to do the
town, but Jim would scurry around
and eventually corral his companion
before serious trouble commenced.
One night after a particularly hard
days work, Jim noticed that his pard-
ner was quieter than usual, seemingly
lost in study-something quite unlike
his nature.
What yer thinking about, Pete?"
Fine gal at the Big Ruby Cafe.
Just came up on the boat this morn
ing. l am dead stuck on her. Told
her my prospects but couldn't get
next She said that l looked like a
boozer and wouldn't tie up to anything
but steady Well, l did have
wind on me to-day and the Ticker
wasn't particularly good either:
1t was Pete's turn to get breakfast
the next morning. but after starting
the fire and putting on the coffee pot
he excused himself on the plea of not
feeling well, and went out for short
walk. Thinking he simply needed
"bracer," Jim said nothing and finished
getting the meal. Late in the morning
he hunted him up. slowly wandering
up and down the avenue" glancing
occasionally into the saloons and dance
halls enroute and winding up at the
big Ruby" He found Pete, however.
where he expected talking to tho new
girl. No wonder Pete was gone"
The girl was tall and 1.-THE. with a
beautiful figure and her sunburnt
cheeks and neck were as nodded
bronze
II like your pardner, Pete" she said
after Jim had gone He seems like
n steady fellow, and they're the only
kind that's any good nowadays"
Patty--for that was the name she
gave-seemed to take quite fancy to
Pete and strove to keep him straight.
but with little success. Things went
from bad to worse. and finally one
night after supper Pete broke out:
ITS no use The gal won't have
me, and I amt got sense enough to
see 1t. Guess we'd better light out,
pard, and stake out another claim fur
Their up the creek.
II guess l know your reason" he
continued bitterly. after long pause.
Yer kind o stuck on Patty, too. but
yer don't want to tell me, Now, look
here, Patty said she'd marry me IL
took the pledge. and know she'd have
you. too, If you'd ask her. Wen just
deal a cold hand, and the Teller as
makes the strike will take the gal and
the claim.
Done" said jim, seemingly relieved
by the frank manner of his pard.
Patty was willing. and quietly said
she really liked Jim the best, but
thought she ought to stick to Pete and
keep him straight
1t didn't take long to get up the
game. They went up to the shack
where the men lived and Patty was the
audience. The loser agreed to quit the
claim and get out the next morning.
Pete picked up each card nervously
as it was dealt. and either by accident
or design dropped one which. falling
face up, showed 1t to be the king of
spades. He gathered it up quickly
and commented on the weather, evil
IDENTIFY hoping to divert his opponent
from the incident. Jim skinned his
cards down carefully and fixing his
eyes steadfastly on Pete said slowly
and almost painfully: Give ME five
cards"
They were dealt TO him and he
seemed to brighten up bit.
Only want one." said Peter rather
cheerfully, as the dead wood" was put
at the bottom of the pack
ut amt much use to keep up the
suspense" said Peter. after moment S
pause, 'They's too much in the pot
and bluff won't work. I'll just show
down. and If you top me the outfit is
yours" With this Pete skinned out .
hand full of queens. Jim looked them
over carefully and threw down his
hand on the table face up. A pair Of
treys was the best there was in 1t.
"Good-by. Pete.' he said hoarsely
rising and extending his hand "KeeI
straight. old man. and love that girl
Don't forget me, will you Patty?" h,
said slowly. almost tenderly, as hi
bade her goodby It's coming out al
right. God bless you both"
He left the cabin. quickly disappear.
Ing in the brush at the edge of thu
camp.
Pete and Patty sat there for an hour
neither deigning to break the silence
After while Patty said: II kinder
wanted Jim to win. but It's fair ant
I'm satisfied now. Guess he didn'
like the looks of the -four ones he go
at first"
What's that?" cried Pete. his face
getting whittier every minute. "Fou,
ones? He never had four ones. or fou,
anything. Why. he tossed the bunch
back cause they was no good, ant
drew FIVE"
Yes, l know" said Patty, who did
not understand the game, but remem