Arizona republican., 1904-01-01

absolutely refused to pay out cent
that he could avoid paying, or to give
or to lend cent to anyone on any prA-
text And when Big Jim was not good
natured his no meant no.
This fact was so well understood bv
the hangers-on of his house-and there
was some half a dozen of them beside
those who drew salaries-that thew
had resigned themselves to the pros
pect of waiting till business picked W.
and living meantime as best they
could. 1t was hard times. indeed, but
they were used TO the ups and downs
of fortune and took it as philosoohic-
ally as might be.
I've heard stories" said Bill Foster
as he sat with some of the others in
the big card room, waiting hopelessly
for some one to come in and be pluck
ed. I've heard strange stories told
about men that was cast away on des-
ert islands or floating round on RATS
getting so hungry they cast lots to see
which one of 'em should be eat up by
the others. 1t always struck me that
was a sensible sort of a proposition.
1 don't banker after eating my fellow
man but its a heap sight better'n starr
ing to death along with him"
What are you driving at Biz"
asked George Davis.
"'Taint very hard to guess" said
Dick Thorpe. He thinks we ought to
eat each other up before we all 90
dead broke together"
I'm not so sure of that" said young
Carter. I've got about $12 hived away
and l reckon it's going to do me q
blame sight more good to hang onto
it till things move than it is to play
poker. for that's what 1 reckon you
mean. I'm always ready to play poker
with the house money but with blood
money it's differently
a fine sport you are," said Foster
with vast scorn. looks like you were
2 sure thing player"
We'll, must say that kind of a
game suits me best" said Carter with
a grin. and I'm not looking to see
any of you fellows turn away from it.
You're all looking for house money
when you play amt your
There was no reply to this but muir
muring conversation on Fosters prop
osition, or what was taken to his prop
osition was in progress when a shabby
looking man. whom they all knew.
came into the room.
Two or three of them nodded when
he said Good evening" but they gave
no other sign of welcome. and he look
ed around from one to the other with
an appealing glance that they all
seemed to understand.
Gentlemen he said at length, Il am
desperate. I'm going TO be turned out
of my house tomorrow. and if 1 am,
my child will die. And there isn't any
thing for my wife and baby to eat. You
Ct IL Il
I'm asking for help"
Why don't you go to Big Jim?"
asked Old Man Hopkins.
Il did and he cursed me. He's a hard
man."
Il don't see what we can do for:
were all nigh broke" said Foster
Just a little" pleaded the newcomer.
Just u few dollars for food and medi
cine"
There was silence for some moments.
Then Hopkins spoke up.
Il don't see but what we had better
combine two things. 1 reckon the most
of us can raise as much as ten dollars
apiece, and there amt one of us that
feels like he could afford to give Simp-
son that much money, bad as he needs
it. But if all five of us put up ten
apiece and sit in with the chips. we
won't feel it much to give him a rake
off up to ten dollars. The winner will
be the man to stand it that way"
There was considerable discussion
over this but one after another the five
men agreed. and the chips and cards
were brought out. Old Man Hopkins
was made banker and one after the
other the five bought chips.
The agreement was made that
Simpson was to have two red chips OF
fifty cents out of each pot that con-
tanned over two dollars until he had
received ten dollars after which there
was to be no kitty.
1t was a table stakes game and it
was hardly to be expected that it
would continue more than a short time
before one at least of the players would
be broke but curiousy enough it
was a full half hour before any of the
five had lost his pile. And the final
fifty cents that completed Simpsons
ten dollars came out of the pot which
Carter lost after putting in his last
chip.
Old man Hopkins counted up the
two stacks of red chips in the kitty,
and laying them aside took ten dollars
from the bank roll and handed it to
Simpson, who had been watching the
play with greedy interest.
He stretched out his hand and grasp
ed the money eagerly enough and said
thank you" with sufficient grace, but
instead of leaving the room forthwith
as they had expected him to do, he hes
itated and looked first at the chips on
the table and then at the seat which
Carter had vacated without a word
after losing his money.
Then, with a sudden motion, he slid
slamming his money down on the table