Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-03-02
LOVE THE STAKES.

Inattered not; both were apparently
happy and contented. Occasionally
Pete would start out ON jag to do the
town, but Jim would sourry 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-somsthing quite unlike
his nature.
what yer thinking about, Pete"
Zine gal at the Big Ruby Cafe.
Just came up on the boat this morn
ing. am dead stuck on her. Told
her my prospects but couldn't get
next She said that looked like q
boozer and wouldn't tie up to anything
but q steady Well, did have q
wind on me to-day, and the Ticker
wasn't particularly good either:
It was Petes 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 we'll, and went out for a short
walk. Thinking he simply needed q
"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 tho saloons and dance
halls enroute and winding up at the
big Ruby" He found Pete, however,
where he expected--talking to the 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
a 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 l amt got sense enough to
see it. Guess we'd better light out,
pard, and stake out another claim fur
Their up the creek"
II guess I know your reason" he
continued bitterly. after a long pause
EYER kind O. stuck on Patty, too. but
yer don't want to tell me. Now, look
here, Patty said she'd marry me If l
took the pledge, and know she'd have
you, too, II you'd ask her. Well 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
It didn't take long to get up the
game. They went up to the shack
where the mon 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 1t was dealt. and either by accident
or design dropped one which. falling
face up, showed it 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.
1T amt much use to keep up the
suspense" said Peter, after moments
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 it.
"Good-by, Pete" he said hoarssly,
rising and extending his hand. Keep
straight, old man, and love that girl.
Don't forget me, will you Patty?" he
said slowly, almost tsndsrly, as he
babe her goodby. "It's coming out all
right. God bless you both"
He left the cabin, quickly disappear
ing in the brush at the edge Of the
camp.
Pete and Patty sat there for an hour,
neither deigning to break the silence.
After a while Patty said: II kinder
wanted Jim to win. but it's fair and
I'm satisfied now. Guess he didn't
like the looks of the -four ones he got
at first"
Whats that?" cried Pete, his face
getting whittier every minute. -Four
ones? He never had four ones, or four
anything. Why. he tossed the bunch
back cause they was no good, and
drew Ave-"
"Yes, I know" said Patty, who did
not understand the game, but remem-
bered the hand. That's what he had,
and his first cards are at the bottom of
the pack now"
As she spoke she drew them forth
and handed them to Pete. There were
four aces and a king.
my God!" groaned Pete, between
his sobs. This is too much. must
hunt my pard!" and he dashed out Of
the cabin, only to return crestfallen.
II knowed It all along that yer want
ed each other, too" he cried.
Never mind" said Patty, with o
woman's strange philosophy, Jim said
that 1t would come out all right. and