Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-03-18
LOVE THE STAKES.


They were "pardners." and whether
the claim was paying or losing Il
mattered not: both were apparentl!
happy and contented. Occasionally
Pete would start out on a jag to do the
town, but Jim would scurry around
and eventually corral his companion
before serious trouble commenced
One night after 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 looked like a
but a steady. Well, did have
wind on me to-day. and the Ticker
wasn't particularly good either:
II 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 we'll. and went out for short
walk Thinking he simply needed u
"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" lie found Pete. however.
where he expected-talking to the new
girl. No wonder Pete was gone.
The girl was tall and 1.-the. with
beautiful figure and her sunhurnt
cheeks and neck were as nodded
bronze
Il 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 10 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:
IT'S no use. The gal won't have
me. and | amt got sense enough to
see it, Guess we'd better light out,
pard, and stake out another claim fur
ther up the creek"
Il guess ! know your reason" hC
continued bitterly, after a 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 if
took the pledge. and know she'd have
you. too. II you'd ask her Well just
deal a cold hand. and the feller as
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 IL was dealt. and either by accident
or design dropped one which. falling
face up. showed il to he the king OF
spades He gathered il 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 20 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.
"It amt much use TO keep up the
suspense" said Peter. after moments
pause 'They's too much in the pot
and a blum won't work I'll just show
down. and II you top me the outfit is
yours With this Pete skinned out a
hand full of queens. Jim looked them
over carefully and threw down his
hand on the table face up. pair of
treys was rhe best there was in IT,
"Good-by. Pete" he said hoarsely
rising and extending his hand Keep
straight. old man. and love that girl
Don't forget me. will you Patty?" he
said slowly. almost tenderly. as he
bade her goodby ITS 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: Il kinder
wanted Jim to win. but its 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 five''
Yes, 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 n king.
My Cod" groaned Pete. between
his sobs This is too much must
hunt my pard," and he dashed out OF
the cabin. only to return crestfallen.
Il knowed it all along tina, yer want
cd each other. too, he cried.
Never mind" said Patty. with
woman's strange philosophy. Jim sa
that it would come out all right. an
guess II will"
And Pete? He took new brace. !,
few years cleaned up a new pile an,
dug out. Patty proved a true and Low
ing wife and. with more congeaiIl sui
roundings life took on a brighter hIj