El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-17

high before the draw. When cards
were taken Thames called for two and
Wall wanted:only one. Then the bet
ing got warm again. It, finally came
to the pinch where Wall offered to bet
his factory, which was valued at S40,-
900. Thames had paper to cover it
and called the bet. In drawing Wall
took one card to fill a straight flush
from the middle. he had the four,
six, seven and eight of clubs, and
caught the five spot. Thames drew to
three trays and caught the fourth.
The game ruined him financially.
"That stopped the playing for money,
but tin-horn gambler suggested that
the prisoners fate be decided with one
jackpot. There was opposition at first,
but the gam bling nerve was up. Wall
had been voting all along for an acquit-
tai, while Thames wanted a convic-
ton. After an hours deliberation it
was decided to let the cards settle the
case. A new deck was ordered. Thames
was to hold the hand for the blood
thirsty crowd and Wall was to play for
the gang that wanted the man to 60
free. It had been agreed to have just
one pot. The proceeding was strange
but it went.
"The jurors lined themselves out by
the table. Cards were cut and Wall
got the deal. There was breathless
excitement while the cards were being
distributed. When Thames looked at
his hand he did not have openers.
Neither did Wall. Then Thames dealt.
After the cards had been scanned they
were turnedsfaces up. There was a
wall when it was seen that Thames
held three jacks to 60 on. Wall did
not have q pair. The best he could
show was the queen and nine of clubs.
Some of the men behind him wanted
b i'm to draw q new hand.
tIt WAS q desperate situation for
those who were fighting for the prison
er's acquitsl and who had agreed to
They did not know what to do. Finally
Wall discarded verything but the
queen and the nine. He took three
cards and Thamas took two. Nobody
moved as Wall took the papers silently
and glanced at them. When he took
the last the expression on his face
changed. He had half smile on his
features.
''Wen, have nothing better than
unless you can beat it that prisoner
over there in the jail will have to
hang
"He'll never hang, then,' replied
Wall, and with that he spread out his
queen and nine. Then he put down
the king. A moment later he showed
the ten of hearts.
"'Now, you see,' said Wall, shat
you have three jacks and 1t will take
the fourth jack to save this mans life.
Only fifteen cards have gone from the
deck, so what chance do you think I
have Of getting the last JACKIE
"'Oh, it's a bluff, replied Thames,
and you think you can get bet even
II the murderer does have to hang. I
am broke, but my friend here will just
loan me- $40, 900 to say that the other
jack is still in the deck. Will you take
it?'
"'Take it?' answered Wall. We'll,
worth $40, 900 more for you to call me.
This ls play for life and q stake
There WAS q consultation on the
other side. Notes we're signed and
three of Thames friends agreed to put
up the extra money and divide the
profits. Then Thameo said he would
call the bet.
You call me?' asked Wall.
Eyes, replied Thames.
"'Well, here Is the other jack, said
Wall. He showed it, raked in the pot,
and then said, And now that prisoner
goes Free
Half an hour later the jury fled into
the court, where a.crowd sat anxious
Iy awaiting the verdict. The clerk
took the paper and polled the jury.
Not guilty. he called, and the prison
err went free on the lucky turn of q
jack. "-ChicaRo Inter-Ocean.