The sun., 1902-03-09

0lIH8Qy III tu8 pot 20 NO tNTHW IN nl8 CnlRt
and picked up The deck to serve the draw.
1 leave them cards on the table TILL
call for mlne,' said Jack, with Offensive
fudeness. Il don't propose TO- have no
stranger holding the deck in his hands
while I'm studying my draw.
| Young Fisher was an even-tempered man,
and prudent enough 70 dislike the notion
Of a quarrel, and possible fight, under
the circumstances. So, though a hot re-
tort came 70 his lips, he thought twice be-
In front Of him. saying;
Certainly, II you prefer II. I thought
you were ready to draw
well. do prefer it, said Jack, with
an oath, looking straight at Fisher with
an offensive leer.
His purpose was plain, but Fisher was
determined not TO fight II he could avoid
II, 50 he said nothing, but waited. Jack,
seeing that the other was not going TO
resent the implied insult, picked up his
own cards and studied them ostentstlously
for several seconds, finally calling for three
The others each took three, and Fisher
caught another ten to his pair, making
a fairly strong hand. Jack bet white
chip. the Major stayed, and Smith laid
down, so Fisher raised II 81.
1t was the obvious play, and safe enough
against the Major, though there was
chance that Jack might have caught
third TO his openers. As II happened, how
ever, he had caught a second pair 10 the
|
hardly strong enough to raise back he could
| not lay down.
Accordingly, he called and Fisher showed
| down his three tens. Jack throw down his
own hand at the same time and when Fisher
reached for the pot he exclaimed:
| Hold on, therel You drew three cards.
II know l did said Fisher. What Of
well. said Jack, pounding on the table
with his fist, you can't open jack pot on
! a pair @ tens In no game that ever heard
on. We don't stand for II here
| He shouted the words, with every ap-
pearance Of rage, but Fisher noticed that
he did not reach for the pot, as he would
been won fairly. So II was evident enough
that his purpose was to fix a quarrel, and
! Fisher grew cooler as tho others anger
seemed to grow hotter.
Il did not open on tens. he replied. quietly
'You opened the pot yourself, and came
In on tens, as / had a perfect right to do
i say you opened on tens repeated
Jack, pounding the table again.
| Il will leave II TO the other players
said Fisher, fully determined not to be
that the decision would be against him.
Mono Of the other three had spoken hither-
to. There is a prejudice against inter-
fering with another mans Affairs at the
poker table out West, but when Fisher
turned TO them they all spoke readilyenouRh.
-The gentleman is right, Jack said the
Major, much as he might have spoken to a
spoiled child. you opened the pot your
SELF. Now shut up and don't disturb the
But Jack would not shut up. He paid
no attention to the Major, but continued
10 rave and rage at Fisher. Rising from
his chair he reached behind him as II to
draw a pistol, but not finding one in his
pocket he shook his fist at Fisher. who sat
perfectly still, being unarrned himself,
and thinking he had to do with a msdman.
Damn you'll I'll fix you" exclaimed the
now furious stranger, and before Fisher
turned and rushed out of the room, slam
ming the door after him with tremendous
Fisher looked around In amazement but
pulled in the pot which had lain neglected
during the scene. He was assuming a
calmness he did not feel but was alert for
any signal Of alarm from the others.
aWhat's the matter with that man?' he
asked. as coolly as he could.
'oh, that's only Jack. said smith In
him. He killed man day or two ago,
and he's been drinking good deal ever
since. He's gone out now TO get heeled.
| reckon somebody's took his gun away
from him without his knowing II, He's
gone out now to get heeled. but YOU needn't
be alarmed. The boys won't let him come
| back" And he reached for the cards, and
began shuffiing them unconcernedly.,
Fisher looked around again. wondering,
In spite Of himself, whether he were in a
dream, or whether the others were all
| stark starir = mad, but they were none Of
them in the least excited. He noticed,
| however, that the Maj jor was reaching for
his hip pocket, and he was greatly inter-
ested TO see the old man pull out bull
dog derrnger and lay il on the right hand
side of his chips Then he pulled out an
other from his other pocket and laid that
on the left.
them" was all he said and Fisher didsome
more quick thinking.
Il suppose you are right he said, about
| what the BOYS will do, but If you gentle
men will excuse me for few minutes III
step over to the hotel and get my own gun.
I've left il in my satchel."
| "Whv certainly" they said, as uncon-
cernedly as If he had spoken OF going out
for drink, and he arose.
! Still thinking, as hard es he knew how,
what was the best thing for him 10 do, he
decided to leave his chips on the table,
get his revolver and come back. II Jack
should really go looking for him he would
doubtless find him. and there coulo DC no
| safer place than where he was.
Accordingly, he did just that, and In
five minutes was back in the game. See
ing that the Ma ior's pistols were stlll on the
I table, he laid his own weapon m 'front.' OF
him and picked UP the cards which were
presently dealt to him as unconoernedly
! as il shooting scrapes were daily occur
rences with him. His hearing seemed TO
meet the approval Of Ike others and they
| PLAYED on as II nothing had happened.
Fisher sat facing the door, which no had
been careful to leave open when he re-
turned. so that he had full view OF the
! saloon in front. and in perhaps ten minutes
| more he saw that which robbed the poker
| game of all further interest.
| Jack, who seemed in his rage TO have
the strength of two men, was struggling
20 enter the place again while three or four
others were trying their best TO overpower
him. He had no weapon in his hand, but
was evidently bent on rough and tumble
] fight and for moment or two Il seemed
as if he would be able TO carry out his
. purpose.
The barkecper Of the saloon Fisher was
in took a hand in the proceedings after
Jack had fought his way TO the doofslll.
. Grabbing up a bungstarter, he leaped
over the bar and stood on guard.
Il amt goin' TO have no more trouble
in here" he said determinedly, III you
want to do any fighting, do it outside. Jack.
/ This here stranger amt nothin 70 me,
but amt gon' 70 have my place all mussed
/ up
] = hat