The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-04-22
BET TO A STANDSTILL.
When n Gambler Was Confronted
with q Raise of $SS,OOO He Had
to Throw Up His Hand.

The great American game of poker
saw it's best days when steamboating
on the Mississippi was at the height
Of it's prosperity. Many are the stories
of slaves, fortunes, whole plantations
won and lost on board the splendid
water palaces which piled on the father
of waters between ST. Louis and New
Orleans. One is related by Charles C..
Campbell, Il retired capitalist we'll
known in numbering circles all over
the east.
f! When quite a young man Mr.. Camp
bell was making trip from New
Orleans to Cincinnati on the steamer
Eliza, then the crack boat on that
route. Through a mutual friend he
made the acquaintance of George
French, cashier OF Il New Orleans
banking house, who was conveying
from the Crescent city to Cincinnati
$4,000 in cash.
In some way it became known to
three "skin" gamblers that French had
with him this large sum OF money
and before the boat had gone far up
the river they came on board. French
saw them step along the gangplanll
and, turning to Campbell, said: 81
know these fellows and l shouldn't
wonder if they have come after the
money I'm taking to Cincinnati. Well,
they have their work cut out"
That evening after dinner the inevi-
table poker game was suggested by
some one, and the three gamblers, of
course, were of the party. After some
persuasion French, who was known to
many on board as one of the nerviest
poker players in New Orleans, took a
hand and play soon ran high.
About II o'clock, French, being by
this time slightly ahead, got hand
which seemed to give him much salts
faction. One Of the gamblers was deal
ing and French stood pat. The dealer
was unable to conceal surprise at this,
but he drew two cards. Everybody
dropped out except the two named. The
gambler bet $40, which French prompt
ly raised to $500.
| From that amount bets soon ran to
thousands, each raising the other until
tue SdlllUlcI, cNilcllllS lulHhlhS VIC
time ripe for u heavy bet, raised the
pot $4,000. French saw the raise and
lifted it S., 2O0-all that was left of the
10000. Then, with a flourish, the gam
bier, after private consultation with
his two friends, put in the $4,000 and
raised it $4,000 more, saying triumph
antly: 81 guess this pots mine"
"Not yet" said French, who rose and
went to his stateroom, from which he
brought satchel. Opening the grip,
he took from it an enormous roll of
bills, which he laid on the table.
"Ihere's 100000 there" said he. II
see your $4,000 and raise it SIS $780," at
the same time laying a revolver on
the table. The gambler, white and
trembling, threw his hand in the deck
and with his friends started to leave.
"Wait moment" said French.
"You thought only had $50, GOO instead
of $120,000. Now, remember, I'll be sit
ting up all night with this money
under my chair and with loaded
revolver pointed at the door of my
stateroom. I wouldn't advise you to
tamper with my lock. Good night"
One of the gamblers reached over
and turned up French's hand. 'Why,
it's a four tiush," he whispered in awe
struck tones. The three cracks got off
ut the next landing.-Chicago Chroni-
Gle