Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-06-20
A VERY QUEER DEAL.
IN A FAMOUS GAME OF DRAW POKER
IN OLD DAKOTA.

The Dealer Gave His Rival Foxr
Jacks and Himself Four Queens.
When the Show Down Came. the
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 81, 800 cash and
was coming east. He and the major had
sat in many quiet game together, and
Huntley went over to the majors Office
to cay goodby and play one last game.
The major produced the cards, locked
the door, and the two faced green ta-
BILE.
The major had the reputation Of be-
ing skillful dealer, and Huntley' .
previous experiences had taught him
that cards sometimes appeared in the
majors hand on a 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 $2, 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 ont 5000 or $4OO, 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
bis cards and found four jacks.
As has been said, the major was a
slick dealer, and when a big pool was
at stake and it was his deal he gener-
ally managed to give his opponent q
good stiff hand, while taking care that
he himself had one just 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:
II 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:
"I'll have to break it for $500. It's a
big pot.
Huntley looked mournful and said:
"I'll stay. Gimme card. -
"None for me, announced the major
briskly, as he threw over card and
laid down the deck. "I'll bet you $500.
"I'll raise you $780," said Huntley.
give hundred more, said the major
"When l sat down." said Huntley,
II had So, 500 in my pocket. III raise
you the full amount of that on this one
hand. If I lose, I'm broke.
The major took another look at his
hand and replied:
IL haven't got as much as that IN
cash. I'll make ont bill Of sale Of the
building and plant, newspaper and all,
and put that in the pot. If you win,
you can hold it till tomorrow, when I'll
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 f1inched. He examined the aces.
one after another. Then he laid down
his hand and said briefly: