The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-01-23
Why Silence is Golden When Cards are
Played.

hotel lobby recently travelling man
was asked by one Of the group of card
players to decide some point in the
game under discussion. He refused, ,
saying that ne ~ould never have any
thing to say about game in which he
was not actually engaged. When
asked his reason for holding aloof from
giving advice, he replied:
II had little experience in small
settlement in the west some years ago
that caused me to make resolution
to let other peoples card playing
alone, and besides causing me to make
that resolution that experience came
80 near putting bold-face period to
my career that have had but little
time for card games since.
II went to q cattle ranch in onesof
the western territories for my health,
and after riding over the whole face
of th's earth for about month, I con-
cluded TO visit the settlement about
the time the cowboys are paid off, as
things had gotten pretty dull and
was wanting to see little life.
"When I arrived in the town soon
saw that the saloons were the most
popular places in the settlement, and
as there were many cowboys in to get
rid of their money, gambling was
going at lively rate. AS you prob
ably know, therc is always feeling
between the professional gamblers
and the cowboys on account of the
sharp practices of the latter, and in
this instance came near being the
victim of this feeling of enmity.
81 had watched tho game in the
principal dive for some time, in com.
pany with the sheriff and several
deputies, and after the officers strolled
out, my attention was attracted by the
regularity with which young fellow
lost to three men ut ono Of the tables.
Finally he lost his last money and
put up his watch. AS he showed the
watch in the pot I saw one of the
players slip card to the other, and
he in turn laid down his hand and
reached for the money. The young
man seemed to be in somewhat Of q
trance as he laid down his cards and
prepared TO get up from the table. I
had became 80 absorbed in the game
that whenSI saw the man slip the card
to his accomplice I Immediately cried
out that the young fellow should take
up the money, ss .hs others were
cheating. The instant I spoke the
man who was ranking in the money
drew pistol and fred. I staggered
back and fell under the table and
shortly after a number of shots were
fired, hut l was SO overcome that
never had clear idea OF what mac oc.
CURED. When came to myself the
room was deserted and [ had q nice
scar across the fore part of my head,
where 39 calibre pistol ball had
shaved the scalp. The sheriff had
started after the .hree gamblers i'm
mcdiately after the shooting begun,
but never overlook them. The young
man departed nextd day He recovered
his watch and secured what money was
left in the pot when the sharpcrs left.
1t appeared that the only thing that
saved me was the fact that as the
gambler leaned over to draw his pis-
tol his arm struek the table and as he
fred Immediately his aim was divert
ed. Had the three men been caught
there would doubtless have been work
for the coroner the next day.
This is the reason, gentlemen, that
do not care to express any opinion
on the merits of other folks, card
games. u O. AJernethy IN atlanta
Tnn,,.T