The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-15
A STRANGER AND
n FOND OF POKER
Stumpy Stumblss Into Arkansas City
and Shows PcculiArities OF the
Brownsville Game.

Arkansas City for possibly half an hour.
The passengers who wanted to go ashore
had gone. all but one, and the roustabouts
were struggling with the freight under
the inspiring influence OF the mates ener-
getio comments.
Possibly because Of thoir terrified condi-
ton, resulting from the mates flow OF IAN
guage. but more probably because OF their
total indifference to consequences, they
paid no attention whatever to small,
redheaded gentleman who might perhaps
have been born in Ireland. and who came
strolling from the direction Of the boats
barroom toward the single gangplank,
now in Use by the freight department
Even as they paid no attention to him
be paid none to them, but approached the
gangplank somewhat unsteadily with the
evident intention OF going ashore. The
mates attention for the moment was fixed
on some point at the other side OF the deck
or il IL a moral certainty that he would have
interposed language of sufficient strength
to arrest the belated passen gers progress.
As it happened, however, there was none
to warn him Of his danger, and he stepped
in debonair fashion on the sloping gang
plank, eerenely unconscious of the fact
that four huge darkes we're coming be-
hind him, bearing case OF goods on their
shoulders that must have weighed sonle-
thing like q thousand pounds
1t is an open question whether they saw
that he was in their way, but II is absolutely
certain that they recognized no obligation
on their part to shout warning. On they
came. jog-trotting along till they were
only single pace behind him. when he
ali har - ulipnaA md Gfa
seemed about to fall. Had he fallen and
70 tripped the rousters the matter would
have been serious. indeed.
Just az he lost his balance n sinewy
hand was stretched forth from somewhere
in the darkness. for it was late at night,
and catching the tottering gentleman by
the lapel Of his coat, gave him such mighty
and overwhelming yank that he darted
forward on the double-quick for thirty or
forty feet, and fell all in heap on the levee.
As he lay there he was hopelessly undigni-
fed in appearance but he was out of the
path Of the roustabouts.
Quite as il nothing whatever had hap
pened he looked up at his unknown pre-
server, who could now be seen indistinctly.
and said in a conversational tone
Sure. OF do be think ohio thinkin' the
citizens O. this (hic) this town. is domned
hard oop fer popu (hic) population Does
yez git livery chic, Everybody ashore, loike
(hic) Everybody (hic> does yer -
Here his voice trailed or 10 a murmur.
and Il seemed probable TO the tall powerful
man who stood over him that he was likely
TO 20 to sleep where he lay if something
were not done promptly. Promptness,
however. was a prominent characteristic
OF Mr. Joseph Bassett, the Sheriff OF the
county, and the stranger speedily arose,
a wetter and a soberer man-likewise an
angrier.
With these various considerations Joe
Bassett was o whit concerned excepting that
the fact of the stranger having been aroused
made his own duty somewhat easier OF per-
for1nance "A the small man began sput-
tering in n peculiarly red headed fashion
Joe calmly interrupted him.
Its ag'in the law, stranger. fr any Raloot
fm ofI'n boat fer TO so an GIT tissef
killed on the levee in Arkansas City by
"A packin case or any other murderous
neepin in the hands o. 'roustabouts or any
body else. Pears to me you must be
stranger in these parts. Ever been into
town OF any size afore''
The small man continued TO sputter az IL
nothing had been said so Joe looked al him
with mild curiosity for a moment, and then
said.
aHyer now. That'l be about enough.
I'd ought for to arrest you for disturbin'
the peace o. them roustabouts but II you We
got money enough to settle n hotel bill |
reckon might better take you there have
ye?'
"Oi have. said the little man.
What's your name2' asked the Sheriff.
presuming on his official position to disre
gard a point of strict etiquette in the com
munty.
Mostly they do be calm me Stumpy,
whin Oi'm at home in Brownsville, said the
little man, whose wrath seemed to have
cooled as the water dripped off his face.
-Av thot's a good enough name for Browns
vile, sure it'll do here.
Come along then, Stumpy,, said the
Sheriff good naturally, as he linked his arm
in the little mans and steadied his steps
toward the hotel across the street.
The landlord had no scruples against
dispensing red liquor TO any man who was
in the company Of the Sheriff. and it came
about that the three had sundry drinks
which Stumpy paid for with great cheer
fulness before going to bed.
Soon after he had done this, Mr. Bassett
dropped in at old man Greenhut's saloon,
and after some irrelevant remarks reported
the presence OF a stranger in town.
Whats he like" demanded Greenhut.
well. he's redheaded an ] reckon he's
Irish but pears like he had some money
He didn't fash no wad, but he amt no
You can't al'ays tell said old man
Greenhut THE Good Book says Him
that hath. keeps, an I'm him that hath not,
the loose change ofttimes leaks Still,
it's worth lootin' into. Some o you boys
had better be up to the hotel when he gets
round. Maybe he might have a likin'
fr draw poker
Accordingly it happened that when
Stumpy came down to the hotel baIroom
next morning in search of an appetite, he
discovered couple OF strangers there who
were by no means unsociably disposed
Further, he discovered that they were Jack
Winterbottom and Sam Pearsal by name,
citizens Of Arkansas City, who esteemed
1t privilege TO make strangers acquainted
with the resources of the place in the way
Of sports and pastimes.
Several of these were mentioned. but IL
appeared that horseracing was out of
season. and there had been no cock1ghts
arranged for the day. In fact, the only
amusement available, 80 far as these two
could saw was a quiet game Of draw which
was likely 10 be started at any hour in
Greenhut's back room.
Gentlemen. Oi'm wild yez,' said Stumpy
we do be playin' dhraw poker in Browns
vile whiles but it's moro f'r tn spoort we
play nor the money
Mr.. Winterbottom and Mr.. Pearsnl
heartily agreed that the game ought always
TO be played for sport rather than for
money In fact. they said. the game was
always played in Greenhut's place for