The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-01

chips. as If intending 10 call keeping his
head bent down, but watching Gallagher
meantime out of the corner OF MS eye
Then suddenly he threw down his cards
Gallagher said nothing ~ no drew IN
the pot, but there was a slight twitching
at one corner of his mouth which led those
who knew him best to suspect mat ne had
not filed his flush A. this was 20 longer
"A matter OF any importance nothing was
said about it
Ferguson dealt next. and "a no one caught
a band the cards passed to fullerton, and
he dealt for jackpot
I; lad not escaped MIR Titherton's notice.
previous 10 thi. deal. that his manner of
hsnding the cards had been the subject
of close scrutiny. but he had not deemed
II expedient 10 say anything about II Now,
however. las he began 10 serve the CARDS
after the cut he was somewhat astonlshed
to see three Of the players lean rudden'y
forward 20 that their face were within
foot Of the table and TO notice that three
pairs of eyes seemed TO be facd intently
What the pr he exclaimed in sur
prize. and stopping the deal, I've glared
FOR moment at each of the three IL turn.
They looked at him hlandy in return,
but volunteered no explanation, and ne
went on dealing. red with anger but saying
nothing more.
Long Mike had apparently taken no notice
OF all this, being occupied with some red
LIQUOR that sam had brought to him IN
response to his rather hoisterous demand,
but when he had raceived his cards he
looked mt them carelessly and promptly
opened the pot for the size Of It,
When the others had seen their cards
they all came in. up to the dealer. and ne
a sed il ten dollars. Long Mike hesitated.
a. If about 10 raise il back. but evidently
decided that he was not in good place
for that play SO he merely made good
Gallagher and Stumpy both came in on
the raise hut Ferguson dropped Long
Mike then called FOR two cards, and a. Either
ton picked mp the deck o serve him tie three
dealers ingarS ~ they Ind done before
Again Titherton paused. as If he had
in mind t0 resent the insult, and again
he thought better Of it. and went on win
the deal Gallagher took one card and
SnImpv took two. but they did not move
TO pick them up keeping Their eyes hNHd
on Tithertou.
and he dropped one card alongside ms
hand. which lay in front Of him.
Then the three Strengthened up ana
looked at one another as If greatly aston
lshed
Is thot the rcelar game:' asked Gal
lagher a. n
new rule they We made in Arkansas. Maybe
it's rig'lar on tn river now. ! don't know
In Arkansas the dealer has Tn privilege
o ta-akin a card from the bottom or the
top. av We dom see al
but how if YOU zee ut2" asked Gallagher
-Thot depnds," said Stumpy. -On ia
boats they shoot but on shore the dealer
gently goes over the ievee. an all hangs
on how he can shwin
aIll bet ten dollars said Long Mike.
throwing the money in the pot
He had been looking rather coniu~edly
at his cards while the others talked pot
paying attention 10 what they SAID. Bui
iitherton interposed.
Hold on minute, he exclaimed, LAYING
his hand down in front OF him and putting
some chips on the five cards.
lie moved and spoke very deliberately
will YOU gentlemen be good enough To
explain what you are talking about De
demanded
cussn' a new rule in dhraw poker
ut were called 60 moind. said Gallagher,
by slight pecooliarity av yer digtal
They said that Gallagher had once been
a och oolmaEteT
You're liar said Titherton that being
the next regular move in the game. and ~
custom required ne pulled his gun at the
same instant and covered Gallagher
Three other reVolvers appeared nt the
same instant, and if Long Mike had
not been person Of almost pretrrnatural
prompiness there would have been gun
play II not bloodshed in the room lie
moved ike a cat. however, and llihcrtou =
gun WeOI FpUiIuNE HNIpN- WV ''l" ~, 70
he could pull the trigger. Long Nike
had -eiIcd hi- wrist and shaken II and the
bones came near swapping.
"Nell cease yer paiavcr. an play "a"
hand. said the big man, a. angry az ~
others -AV there's foighiin' 10 do. We III
do il afther An If ye're aith"r iHklh a
card from the bottom % the deck, We u
kape It an Oi'l play ye anyhow. But that
ornadhoun there. he's no liar Oi'l say
that for him. But he settle wi me Inter
for breakin up this play.
But this amazing proposition met WIN
no favor from any one. lithorion -trug-
bled like a wild beast in hi- rage, but was
unable 10 free himself. though he began 10
bite at Long Mikes fingers, and the others
sprang 10 their feet
Don't shoot said Stumpv. putting
away his gun lets run the Spalpeen
into the river And the other two started
TO help him
But Long Mike was aroused by the pam
of sharp bite, and his temper gave way.
His strength was as the strength oi seven
men, ana he. too. arose, knocking me
table over as he lunged forward 'zng
I 1.-THE rton with both hands he lifted hun
high in the air and threw him violently
against the wall, whence he fell uncon-
scious 10 the aoor.
Then the ing man inside rush for Cal
lagher; ,....,
| and Gallagher knew that ne would.
II was. Therefore, small wonder that DC
lodged under Long Mixes arm and mad"