The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-04
A Mississippi River Poker Story
The Man With Four Aces
Refused TO Bet.

Several years ago." said Edward Gibbs
Murphy, 81 had business which necessi-
tated my remaining in st. Louis for sew
eral months. During that time heard
numerous stories Of famous poker games
which We're played In the olden days on
Mississippi river steamers running to
New Orleans. Many years ago a mag
niflcent river steamer was on her way
to New Orleans with a cabin full of pas
sengers, going to witness the Mardi
Gras. The usual brass band that played
stirring airs at each town landing was
aboard. Flags were flying from the hur-
ricane roof. and the little brass cannon
was mounted on the lower deck, where it
belched forth roar whenever the great
steamer left a landing In the cabin
there were passengers from all points
along the river, and some from distant
cities. The scene on board was animated
and gay. OF course, there was poker
playing in the social hall in the gentle
mems cabin. which was in the front Of
the steamer.
When the boat landed at Natchez u
big game was in full blast A stranger,
tall, handsome and we'll dressed, came
aboard He had an honest, open coun-
tenance, and won confidence the minute
any one looked at him. After he had
registered at the clerks desk and been
assigned to a stateroom, he lit fragrant
Havana cigar and slowly sauntered
around. When he came to the table
where the big game of poker was being
played he sat down behind one of the
players.
Now, it happened that the man he sat
behind was not a professional gambler,
but his opponent across the table was
blackleg of the most expert and cunning
Kind. The non-professional had plenty
of money, and bet freely. Several others
were in the game, but they are quite
superfuous to this game. The handsome
stranger sat quietly behind the non-pro-
fessional and gave pointers to the gam
bier opposite. He did 1T in such a quick
and telegraphic way that no one saw
or even suspected him. The gambler,
though, saw and understood his signs
thoroughly.
DRAGGING THE VICTIM IN.
FINALLY the non-professionaI player be-
gan to lose If he had a good hand the
gambler would either pass OFT or bet and
win. The stakes were raised and several
thousands Of dollars were on the table
In one pot. After the non-professionaI
dealt the cards he picked up his hand
and found four hearts and a club He
antes, and raises were too high to go
out, so he drew one card to flush, and
the gambler drew four cards to a king
high.
THE latter never got a pair and the
10 In fT,eN
tall stranger communicated the fact to
the gambler that his opponent had a bob
tail flush. and only queen high. Betting
began In bluffing kind of way by the
gambler putting up a cool $1,000 The
non-professional saw It and went $1,000
better. They kept on raising each other
until $4,000 was up and the gambler was
called. He took in the money with a
king high and the game was at an end
The next morning the tall handsome
stranger was strolling on the hurricane
deck when he was met by the gambler,
who requested the pleasure of meeting
him alone in his (the gamblers 81 state
room. When he arrived at the gamblers
quarters the latter carefully bolted the
door and said:
NOW, pard, l wish to divide with
you The tall stranger drew back in
dignantly and replied: L do not under
stand you. What do you owe me 5000
for?' Then the gambler explained that
he always divided with other profession
ais who gave away the hands of gentle
men at the card table. Without being
embarrassed in the least, the stranger
said:
just gave you pointers because I
happened to sit behind tho man. If had
been behind you would have given your
hand away to the other fellow. That is
the way ! do. I don't want any money
and With hot owl !, HID
the gamblers stateroom.
81 defy any one to match a phase of
character similar to that of the hand
some stranger. He got off at New Or
leans, and that was the last ever seen of
him.
Here is another story which Senior
Cooper, q Mexican onyx king related
while in st. Louis: Poker is a seductive
game. and so 1 never play it. Still, 1
know the fine points Of the game, even
if 1 cannot win when I try to do so theo-
retiCally. One time l was going to Eu-
rope in a steamer and witnessed a re-
markable game of poker. Some men are
born cautious, and keep cool under try
ing circumstances. A we'll known lawyer,
noted for his scientific way of betting at
the poker table, was one of the principals
in the game on this steamer. Three
other men, supposed to be gentlemen,
but one a professional gambler in
disguise, were engaged In the game. 1t
was one of those IS ante games, with no
limit A 500 bet on a pair OF trays or
deuces was not uncommon.
WARN THE LAWYER.
st knew the lawyer, and wanted to
tell him that 1 suspected that he was
playing against one sharp at least, but I
could not get the opportunity. On the
afternoon Of the first day Of the poker
game a group of interested spectators
stood around the table. 1 was put be-
hind the lawyers chair. The betting was
lively and the lawyer won $1,000 In ten
minutes, and chiefly from the sharper.
I saw that the latter was losing on pur.
pose to bait the lawyer and make big
winning The gambler dealt the cards
and the lawyer got three aces. He drew
one card and got another ace.
"'Only the IS antes were up, and the
lawyer sat there with four aces in his
hand, the biggest hand that could be
dealt, except royal flush, which they
had agreed not to play when they began
the game. The other players passed out
and the lawyer carelessly bet S.. A little
hesitancy on the part Of the gambler, and
he coldly went $500 better. The lawyer
suspected trlckery, but where could it be2
He had four aces, an invincible hand, yet
the gambler evidently knew what he was
doing to bet so large q sum. 1t was
trying situation. No one spoke. The
lawyer counted out $500. but did not put
1t UP. He paused and carefully looked at
his five cards again. In an absent-minded
way he skinned the five cards through his
hand, when, 10! the trick was exposed.