The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-11-13

IT haven't played poker for years.
said an Old-timer last night IN CONVEX
sation with q number of frlends.
my memory does not fail me the last
game was played at Woodville. over IN
Elk Park canyon, more than score VI
years ago.
in it's height of glory and more IMAM
2OOO men were employed cutting WOOD
in the hills and sending it to Butte.
AS usual in new camps the principal
diversion was gaming of various kinds,
and I recall one incident in which the
woodville Poker club made the ac-
uuaintance of Rev. Mr.. Goodly, the
evangelist. It happened this wise. says
the Townsend Star:
.The club was wont to meet Sunday
afternoons in the rear of Jake Hines
harness shop, where the members sought
fortunes tickle smile in modest game
of penny-ante..
Preacher Passes By.
at happened one day that when the
Jackpot was simmering the merriest and
the kitty was purring softly to the
tune of the click Of the celluloid chips
the Rev. Goodly passed by the door.
Jake Hire, whose sense of the MT
ness of things is about as keen as a
Cherry hill goats suggested that the
parson be invited to sit in and, suiting
the action to the word stepped to the
door and hailed the New Jerusalem's
real estate agent.
1.-The good man was Mortified at the
ungodly sight and, with a devout glance
ceiIingward, tried to shut out the vision
of unrebuked sin.
s'The goddess Jake explained to the
parson that the Woodville Missionary
society was in session and, as was GUS
tomary with the little band of workers.
a game Of draw poker was then IN
progress to see how much could be col
lected for the church.
Vests for the Savages.
1.-THE proceeds of the kitty were to
go towards buying vests for the de-
PRAYED and savage Inhabitants Of the
Goo Goo island. WoueA the parson join
them?
"The good mans face wore an ag-
grieved look for time which gradually
changed, just as the winters snow wanes
in the warm rays of the sun, and there
was lust the suspicion of a smile at the
corners OF his mouth
HE said that he could not approve
of the manner in which the money for
the poor, benighted heather was col
lected, yet as he had consecrated his
life to the mission work he would, in
his poor, weak way endeavor to amuse
them in playing a few hands.
1.-THE saver of souls was duly coached
in the matter of 'bobtail' f1ushes, pairs,
straights and fours, and the game be-
gan.
Boys Feel Ashamed.
"The expounder of the scriptures lost
every bet for the first few deals and
the boys began to feel ashamed of
the manner in which they We're SHINING
the meek and lowly parson.
1T came his deal and gingerly he
picked up the cards and began to shuttle.
The pasteboards appeared to go together
like magic beneath the deft touches of
the pious looking emulator of Moses.
but when the hands We're picked up this
was soon forgotten.
''They all made good to the center
of the table and stayed for the draw
with decisiveness of purpose that be-
spoke subdued excitement.
"Jake remarked that he would try
to struggle along with the mess he
then held while Pete and Jim took two
cards each. Hank Barber, with an avari-
cious tremor in his voice. called for one
and the parson drew three.
Betting Under Way.
1.-The betting began. Jake, after peer
ing cheerfully into his pat hand, said
his combination was worth five bones
If it was worth a cent, and Pete and
Jim saw him.
''Hank remarked that he had rising
hand and would risk three days pay
to inject little high life into the game
and thereupon raised the bet.
''There We're several raises and the par
son pOked in his chips with a reluctant
hand. After while it was up to him
to call a big raise, and he ponderel
long upon the matter.
HE said that he considered 1t sinful,
yet under the circumstances he felt that
Moses himself would back that hand 70
a Garrison finish and he elevated the
bet with what worldly goods he had on
the table.
Won the Showdown.
"Jake swallowed hard lump in his
throat and said that while he thought
that he had them all beaten to a froth,
and that it seemed like taking candy
from a sick child. yet he couldn't see
his way clear to do any more than make
good. The others followed his example
and the hands were shown.
"Jake exhibited a beautiful diamond
flush, but Jim threw down a deuce full
and made a gesture for the pot.
HE was stopped by Hank, who
thought that his -four milliners would
land the treasure.
1.-The parson admitted the possibility
OF his being confused as to the value of
his hand. yet he averred that in his sim
full youth out in California, four kings
and an ace were looked upon With great
reverence and were considered pretty
good.
There was an ominous silence, broken
only by the parson raking in the pot.
His face was still sad and pensivs when
he said:
81 assure you, gentlemen, that this
money will be used in a good cause, and