Evening journal., 1900-10-08
a VERY QUEER DEAL.
" A FAMOUS GAME OF DRAW POKER
IN OLD DAKOTA. a

when the Show Down Came, the
Jacks Had Turned 10 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 tcrri-
torial days. Huntley had just sold His
paper in Bismarck for 81, 500 cash and
was coming east He and the major had
sat in many a quiet game together, and
Huntley went over to the major Office
to say goodby and play one last game.
The major produced the cards. locked
the door, and the two faced a green ta-
bic
The major had the reputation Of be-
ing a skilful dealer. and Huntley's
previous experiences Rad taueht him
that cards sometimes appeared in ihe
majors hand on show down whose
legitimate existence coulp only be ae-
sounted for on the Hypothesis tkat Ito
age Of ui<aclpa had nat passod SO he
had forthled. himseR for this fat0waa
game not only with the o. soc whiqh
ho had received for his Newspaper prop
srty, put also with four large bnt not
ovetworbed aceg.
There was no lhnit. but for an hour
tho game went along quietly enough
The major was out $500 or $40O. but.
as both players unmarked, the game was
''young yet AZ Last Jack pet for $50
came and remained. Back and forth
ncross the table went the deck, Neither
man could get openens. Each time tho
deal passed the pdtswas sweetened $40.
At last there was $3.50 on the table
Vhe major dealt Huntley looked over
his cards and found four jacks
AS has been said, the major was
sliciz dealer. and when a big pool WAS
at stake and Il was his deal he gener-
ally managed 90 give bis opponent q
good stilf hand. while taking care that
be himself had one just a shade better.
So, when Huptley found the four
jacks In bis haAd 1t seemed 10 him that
the time had come to precipitate Ais
four aces into action. The jacks were
retired unostontntiously and with a
faint-a very faint-shado Of disar-
pointment IN his voice Huntley an
nouncad:
II can't break it.
The major was still examining his
cards with that hositating air that soms
people always believe means "studging
out a straight" Finally he said;
~pll have 70 break il for $500. It's a
big pot
Huntley looked mournful and said
"I'll stay. Gimme a card.
''None for me- announced the major
briskly, as he threw over a card and
laid down the deck "Ill bet you S5op, ,
"l'n raise you $500, snid Hunslpy.
give hundred more, said mo m4ase
N "When l sat down" said hhntlat,
II had 81, s0e in NY pocket il rsttb
you the full amount Of that on this eao
hand. II lose. I'm broke -
The major took another lock at his
hand and replied
y 'I haven't got as much as that IN
suah- I'll make out a bill Of sale Of tip
bsilding and plant. newspaper and a.
nnd put that 10 tho pot. II you V5u,
lyon can hold it till tomorrow, when III
&tfie
Go ahead, said Huntley. orp
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 bad emptied their pockets
Nov I'll call you. " said the ms5or,
''fours, . said Huntley, and he laid
down his four one spots. The major
mover ilinched. He examined the aces.
one after another Then he laid down
b his hand and said briefly
''You win. Stanley. All lad was
four queens
The next day the major redeemed his
/ bill Of sale and Huntley came TO New
York and began to write the "Spoopen-
, dyke Papers, which were first puhlish-
! ed in the Brooklyn Eagle He's been
dead for-years now.
4 About two years after the famous
/ poker game Major Edwards was visits
ing New York, and he looked up Hunt
ley. They dined together at tho Astor
d House. After coffee and when the cigars
had been lighted the major said
STANLEY. Of course when gentlemen
like you and I play poker together
there's never any question about the
game being straight. But there's one
thing that's been puzzling me for two
E years. and want TO ask you about il. =
. $50 ahsd, major, said Huntley.
5 putting his cigar.
"Stanley, why in thunder did you
: refuse to open that last jack pot when
I you had four jacks inyour handT'
''Major. " returned ,Huntley thought
d fully, laying down his cigar. ''whc
dealt that last hand o.
( II did, Stanley, said the major
''WelL th0n major, since four aces
}. won the pot. how in thunder scould il
have been a Etraight'game7
''Thats so" said the major re
heotively. "Let's get a cab and go tC
I some theater. New York Press.