The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28


cigar. that in poker man
is justified in taking advantage of any
fact or incident that is equally open TO
all the players in the game. If lie hap
pens 10 be more acute and to get more
information from a circumstance than
the next fellow, then he is just that
much better a poker player
We'll" remarked the army officer,
that's so, I suppose. as long as the
chance is even for everybody TO see what
you do"
You bet IL is answered the drum
meF, "and, what's more. you never can
tell when your information bureau is
going to get you in one peach of a
mess. 1 remember an affair in the Union
Hotel in Atlanta eight years ago, where
in one Of the decks. a red one, the ace
of diamonds had a scratch on ne cor
ner made by q finger nail in opening the
case.
II noticed this the first time the cards
were dealt and stored II IN my mead TOT
future reference Anyone else VINO had
his ewes open could have seen IL, SO 1
dodn't think il was I'D 10 me 10 put up q
sdueal for a fresh pack.
THAT little game was la1lapaloozeT
all right. There were two men IN II
who represented big rival houses. They
were both flush. and they kept boosting
the limit until II was sky hlgh' ana the
rest of US We're just hanging on Dy our
eyelids, praying for the police or any
thing else TO come along and save our
II managed to keep my head above
water. though, and finally scooped IN a
pot that put me some Two hlhoIeo 70
The good was playing nVe hundred
all had-behind my pile.
Right after that another big jack
Jumped out on the middle OF the table
and stayed there, growing lat on sweet
ening until it seemed as II II never couI9
be opened. The deal went clean arouAu
there We're seven OF us-and came DdGh
to the second man on my fishI' ne
handed out the papers.
Il looked at mine-the ten OF clubs
and four diamonds. headed by Jne klls,
The man on my right passed Inc mar
on my left opened II Tor nIty. 1HIce
more stages, Including the chap on my
right 49,. IL -,
the pack ISlnS in front OF the dealer
and, by Jove, that top card was lhe
scratched ace of diamonds. OL coufS
it flashed across me in second that II y
play was to lift the pot out OF reach uI
the man between me and that ace ano
mn my bobtail So l footed the bet Two
s.FSyervbodv dropped out but the man
who had opened. / got my ace Q. X.
and a swell-loOking ace-king flush had
The opener took one card and bet dol
lar i figured that that meant two pairs
that hadn't bettered, so l boosted him q
hundred.
Il didn't think he Stanu any more
But, sir, hanged If he dldn I size up my
pile and raise me the whole business!
I showed my last white on the table
and he threw down a trey full on skies
| had to quit the game and TELEGRAPH
for money to pay my hotel bill ABOUT
that time, you bet, information on TINS
side was way below par with me-
The army officer laughed
Served you right, he said. but yol
never can tell how Providence IS Boihg
to monkey with flush. a funny thlns
happened to me with one when Wa
q shave tail. Il,
in those days the army was To-
different from the way il is now. 9Id sam
bling was the rule. man VINO oluL
CLAW was a curiosity, ana nearly & SI
voInester as soon as he joined -Itts II
suending his pay and learning tnt Steiilt
at the feet of the rank ana SApetilS,tS'
that sat about the tables IN tns W. ~.
ssTVhen l went to my regiment : Wa
very conservative by mature 49,
,fax-ad my hands awful close. L never
hinffad and / very seldom squeezed ever
sure thing for anything near to wha'
il was worth. =,
ahoiIf nv -recklessness' and sporting
blood but I think | was sensible &c
slick to nv policy l never lost much
though, Of course. 1 never won much
either.
sitting in a game, and l was picking
nv way carefully along as usual, WheT
| got mixed up in a good big jack, witt
a bobtailed club flush, headed by th'