The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-11-24

Somehow, / never did feel right about
seein' people swindled, even at poker, an 1
felt a. though 1t were my duty TO put the
Others on their guard. l were hot. clean
through. an come pretty nigh speakin'
out right then.
Perhaps II were a good thing for me
tina. | thought In time o what the con-
sequences would he. Aocusin' a man OF
chraun' at cards. them days. meant night.
an fight didn't mean fisticufs or even
rough and tumble, II meant gun play or
cold steel, an while ! wa'n't never n coward
an was willin' enough TO take my chances
with one man, l hadn't no great relish
for fightin' three. =.
'IEnowed we'll enough, when I'd thought
a minute. that the other three van goin
to fight with me OF for me-, for l couldn't
tell EN- nothin' only that I'd seed these
three lookin' at each other. ,
i reckon that were the time when 1
learned il good an hard that the best thing
a man can do when he's anywheres near
a poker table In TO keep his mouth shut II
he amt in the game hisself. Anyhow 1
learned II an ! says to myself that II any
body were goin' to suffer 1t would be the
suckers that was playin' an twouldht
be me.
The hull thing got me so excited, though,
for as ! was sayin' ! were a good bit younger
then than am now. that l walked back
into the bar an stayed there awhile TO
cool OF; But Lord bless ye, ! a to go
back an look on. an by doin' IL | happened
70 b. on hand when the shootin' scrape
actually did happen.
Pears that Decker want satisfied
with the advantage o gettin' tips on the
sure as guns that was h Naylor were a
giyin' him-but he must try his funny bust
ness In the deal.
1T were a big Jackpot again, an there
were considerable none on the table. for
Gregory had opened IL for $40, an Decker
had h'isted him ton. Ravens had come In.
Beaulieu had dropped his cards an Bis
moro had raised il twenty. o. course |
knowed that were done 70 give Decker
another chance in case Gregory should
CONS back at him but I don't think Gregory
nor Ravens s,ispicioned IL.
But. anyway, Gregory didn't. He just
made good an so did Decker an Havens.
That made nigh two hundred in the pot
with what there was before the openin',
for they was plavin' IS jacks by this time.
1T were Decker's deal an Ravens called
for two cards. Bismore for one and Gregory
for two. so il we're certain hat there van
better than threes, against the dealer
'thouten somebody'd bettered in the draw.
Anyhow, he took one card an filled q ace
full. but that we didn't know till the show
down.
Gregory bet a white chip an Decker
raised it 500. Ravens laid down, an
cards an studied EN- some. Feared
70 me- for a minute like he were goin' 70
lay down, but after a little he says, sort o
slow. I'm raise youtwo hundred. an throws
the money in.
well. just nachully, Decker were up
against II. Gregory might ha' made a
full house to his threee, or he might ha
caught the fourth. Anyway, his ace full
looked big enough. cstchin' II the way he
had. to call on, an finally he called. An
Bismore he laid down an II we're a show
down.
We'll, Gregory had four tens, an o.
course he scooped the pot without no ques-
tion. II were a relief TO me, Tor were
pretty certain I'd seen Decker take his ace
off'n the bottom o the pack. though /
couldn't swear to il. but Just as Ravens was
gatherin' up the cards, Beaulieu. he spoke
up. a. cool az II he'd been in court.
1t was a pretty good thing for you;
Mr.. Decker he says, that your ace full
was beat
Everybody looked al him as IL they
thought he was plumb crazy, an nobody
spoke for a minute. but | seen Bisrnore an
Decker an Gregory all straighten their
selves up as il they smelled somethin'
an ] cd feel without lookin' round that
Saylor were gettin' ready for a rush.
After a bt Decker spoke up as cool
an steady a. Beauheu h~isself,"
very stern like.
Il mean. says Beaulieu, very slow an
distinct. that you wouldn't have been al
lowed 10 take the pot IL your hand had not
been beaten
And who would ha' stopped me?' asked
Decker
! would. said the cotton factor.
You mean. ! SUPPOSE said Decker with
a NASTY snepr.' that you'd ha' tried TO stop
me But why would you ha' tried. may
ask
I would hs' stopped you. SAYS Beaulieu,
'bNcaI4a the ACE % clubs before the draw
was on the bottom o. the pack | saw it
there when Gregory cut the cards
m - IL
uo'hin' had %happened. but before he was
through akin 'hings was very lively in the
saloon Decker had drawed his gun an
had II on the wav up 20 aim when Gregory
Jumped a. him. an catchin' his pistol arm
VITA HE left put a LOWE Al hi throat with
his night, an with an oath be- shouted Drop
thai
That seemed 90 put Decker out o. the
fghtiu' for a moment bu' bsmOre vas a.
mo-' a. quick ~ he was. an he fired al
Gr.gorv'- night hand knockin' the kIife
uul 81 II u wa q pretty shot. bat b.
more n ~ called 'ho l-.-t man with a gun up
an down the river, an h. never shot 10
kn II he cd help II A. ~ wac Grrgory
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a. the saline instant that Blsmurr hr-i.
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