The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-25
The Majors Bet.

/ III was o CLOCK III tne morning, and the
poker game at the club had dwindled TO
| the two veterans. Colonel Thompson and
| Major Harkaway With the younger men,
| bers out and the colonel heavy loser
| IL was natural that the ante should be in
| creased, and the limit taken off. The
| major was dealing and had made IL $500
| TO draw cards.
Give me three cya'ds, sub. please, %
said the colonel as he made his ante
| good. The major stood pat" and bet a
| dollar.
Raise yo' fifty sub. Yaas. suh." said
| the colonel
That's ve'y cou'teous OF yo'. sub
| Raise you five hundred. Wait n moment,
| suh, and the major appeared TO reflect,
looking again at his cards. "Yaas. sub,
Ill make IL five hundred bettah, sub"
''Well. sub. | can stan II III you can. A
thousand better" and the colonel stroked
his gray, pointed beard and readjusted
his glasses, studying his opponents face.
These two had been friends and rivals
since they were boys together, and were
both Of old southern stock. Both had
been asprants I'm youth for the same fair
hand but the girl had married neither OF
them-a fact which cemented their friend
ship the more firmly. Both had been con-
testants for the same political honors and
had each secured "a seat I'm congress.
They belonged TO the same clubs, drank
the same whskey, and smoked the same
brand of cigars.
"Five thousand better than YOU" re-
torted the mapor. I'm good for all
night"
I'm not sub. but I'll raise you ten
thousand"
"Dou you realize how much money that
Is. sub? Don't want to crowd you, but
itll cost you twenty thousand to play"
replied the major. as he deliberately drew
a check for the amount.
"Wel. sub. theahs ma check 70 the
same amount sub. Wait a moment, sub
please What is my Fair View fa'hrm
worth, do you think. sub? / want 10
leave gin in my bank TO- spendin
money. and the fa'hrm is TO sale already,
you know.
Now Colonel. don't"
"Nev-va min,' sub, If yo please. What's
1t wu'th?'
twenty-five thousand-every dollah Of
It," replied Major Harkaway.
II believe IL is, sub. I'll Just raise yo'
tho IA hrm for what it's wuth. You are
aware sub. / have other prop'ty?"
"Oh. YES, sub. Certainly, sub. l know
that. Wen. II I just call the fahm."
said the major, as he drew out his check
| book again.
Don't feel obliged, sub. on ma ac-
count"
why I'm not. sub. OF course. and just
| 90 prove II. there's yo' check for the
| Inn equivalent and thousaid more
/ besides
The two young spectators stood aghast
| There was something like $4,000 I'm the
| pot, including Fair view, one of the pret-
| tiest winter homes I'm southern Mississip-
| pi Just the none OF the club messengers
| entered the cardroom and closed the door
| after him.
"Yo' colored servant sub. wishes 10 see
! yo privately, Colonel"
| Let him come right I'm heah."
| The page went out and the colored boy
| stepped from the hall into their presence
! with self-deprecatory manner and ex-
! preston.
What is it, sam? Nobody III at homer
| Speak OUT"
| But, sub. hefo' these gentlemen"
| stammered the boy.
| ''Dut with a. sam. All friends hcrc"
| Wen. sub. Mrs. Thompson. toll me 20
| tell you. Colonel-that it's vc'ah late sub
| an she's DIRE full wurrihed bout you, an
wants go home. suh." and Sam seemed
| relieved that he had at length delivered
| hic commission.
All present enjoyed tho laugh at the
! colonel's expense. but he. too. smiled
| pleasantly. unrunied IN his composure.
! What did YOU raise me. Maiah3 one
thousand? We'll ! told yo' I was just n
little shot OF ready change. Is the boy
wu'th it2 I gave Sloo for him five yea'hs
J ago"
| Certainly sub. n yo' say he's wu'th
| tt said the major
well. I'll just give The boy 60 call you.
| sub. ] held two queens and caught two
! more"
And I held fonh kings all the while. -
| said the major.
| Take the maiah home. Sam. and take
good cy'ah ah him. Make my apologies 10
| 20 good lady. Majah 10 keeping 20 80
late suh."
| lie pulled n bell cord M his elbow. MA
| cy8'iugs, please. Chicago fntcr-occan.