The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1901-09-25
YERY Oh
IN 4 FAMOUS GAZE or Dt.Ast aoke
n Oh DAKOTA

J3csSS and Himself -Four Queens.
vhen the show Down Came. the
Jacks had Turned 40 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 N the old terri
torial days Hpntley had Just sold his
PAPER in Bismarck for 50. 500 cash and
was coming cast. He and the major had
sat in many quiet game together, and
Huntley went over to the majors office
to say goooby and play one last game
The major produced the cards. locked
the door. and the two faced z green ia
bic
The major had the reputation of be
ing a skillful dealer, and Euntley's
previous experiences had taught him
that cards sometimes appeared in the
majors hand on a show down whose
legitimate existence could only be ac-
counted for on the hypothesis that the
age of miracles had not passed. So he
had fortified himself for this farewell
game not only with the 90. 600 which
he had received for his newspaper prop
erty. but also with four large but not
overworked aces
There was no limit. but for an hour
the game went along quietly enough.
The major was out $500 or $500. but.
as both players remarked, the game was
young yet at last q jack pot for $50
came and remained. Back and forth
across the table went the deck Neither
man could get openers Each time the
deal passed the pot was sweeteDed $40
At last there was $3.50 on the table
The major dealt Huntley looked over
his cards and found four jacks
As has been said. the major was
slick dealer, and when a big pool was
at stake and il was his deal he gener-
ally managed TO give his opponent
good stiff hand. while taking care that
he himself had one just shade better
So. when Huntley found the four
jacks in his hand it seemed 10 him that
the time had come to precipitate his
four aces into action The jacks were
retired unostentatiously. and with
faint-a very faint-shade OF disap-
pointment in his voice Huntley an
nounced:
Il can't break Il. /"
The major was still examining his
cards with that hesitating air that some
people always believe means studying
out straight. Finally he said:
egTpfl I,--o l,,-,cI- fo- cam
big pot.
Huntley looked mournful and said
''I'll stay. Gimme card.
''None FOR me, announced the major
briskly, as he threw over card and
laid down the deck ''I'll bet you $500.
'I'll raise you $500, said Huntley
give hundred more. said the major
'When l sat down, said Huntley.
''I had 50, 500 in my pocket. I'll raise
you the full amount Of that on this one
hand. IF lose, I'm broke
The major took another look at his
hand and replied
'T haven't got as much as that in
cash I'll make out q bin Of sale Of the
building and plant, newspaper and all.
and put that in the pot. If you win,
you can hold ID till tomorrow, when III
settle.
$50 ahead. said Huntley-
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 had emptied their pockets.
''Now 1 II call you, said the major
'EFours. said Huntley, and he laid
Gown his four one spots The major
never fiinched. He examined the aces
one after another. Then he laid down
his hand and said briefly:
''You win. Stanley Al 1 had was
four queens
The next day the major redeemed his
bill Of sale aud Huntley came to New
York and began to write the ''Spoopen-
dyke Papers which were first publish
ed IN the Broo41Iyn Eagle He's been
dead fer years nov
bout two years after the famous
poker game Major Edwards was visit
ing New York. and he looked mp Hunt
ley They dined together at the Astor
House After coffee and when the cigars
had been lighted the major said:
Stanley. Of course when gentlemen
like you and / play poker together
there's never any question seout the
game being straight But there's one
thing that's been puzzkng me for two !
years, and ] want to ask you about it.
go ahead. major. " said Runtley. |
putting his cigar.
Stanley. why in thunder did you
sefuse 10 open that last jack pot when |
you had four jacks IN your hand q
Major, returned Huntley thought T
fully. laying down his cigar. swho I