The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-09

sich a inspirin' text f'r,some time. But, as
was sayin' in this connection, l On see how
there'd be greet business opportunities I'm
time to time in the way o. stakin' q artist
ag'in q spot, an standin' in.
Then thirdly he says, draw poker isa
fine art to them that plays II with UNDER
standin'. But them kind has to be gifted,
an more'n that, they has q. be them that's
willin' to devote themselves to IL.
Nov, the object o. the spot, o. co'se,
is to get all tn excitement he can FIRM tNe
game, an it's altogether right 7 he 80
pay for It. An the object o. the business
iran Is to get his p'centage outen the game,
as is proper. An the object o. the artist
is TO get the other mans money
90 oo'se, bein' a preacher, he said a heap
more'n that. As I remember, he talked
fr half a hour or 80, but that was the nub-
bins. So I says It Ia all intereatin' an had
ought for to be instructive, on'y Z I didn't
see clear how l was to get no special per-
sonal benefit, bein' a. l an no gre't
OF a player, myself. l hadn't no prejudice
ag'in winnin'. but I didn't approve losin'.
AN he says, Pears to me-, Greenhut,
there's one part o. the game you is well fitted
for. You has the business instinct, all
right, an / dom know but what l might
be a spot II Providence had gave me a rich
father. But as it il, I've got some sort OF a
notion o. gettin' to be a artist. Now. 81 was
sayin's them things is on'y to be did with
much practice an prayer. Now, it stands
to reason a man can't practise all by his
ownself. o. course he en- learn to deal,
an he en- get tol'able well acquainted tn
the looks o. the cards, so's't he don't al'ays
have to turn 'em over to see what suit they
Is, but there's things a man can't never learn
'thouten he RELY plays. Now it looks to
me like il you an I was to give constable
time to this thing we might do well. l cd
look after the prayin', but we'd nave to
practise together
1T looked good enough to me. bein' as 1
had considerable idle time, an him an me
sure did work hard fr some weeks, an I
hain't never begrudged the time. As l
was sayin', this here Dabney, front name
o. Samuel, were a man o. rare insight,
an what he didn't see into the game O.
draw poker in the way o. business oppor-
tunities amt there.
Il want never no gre't expert my W
self In handlin' the cards, an l seen plain
enough what my duty was, but Dabney
sure were cut out fr a great artist. There
amt no telling what we mought "a did
together, on'y fr a prominent citizen o.
Greenville gettin' hit, sort o. accidental like
In the place n night. l heer'd to'ards
mornin' Z he an likely to live, an the
boss said TO me j t II I was to get on a river
boat quick, maybe the folks d think / hit
him. Any way, he cd lay it to me, an he
says his business is worth too much to him
fr him TO leave.
s. I asst hin how much his business
was worth. an We divided an | left. An
Amt Jaw Dabney, first name o. Samuel,
since
The hour was late, and old man Green
hut realized that no more customers were
likely 20 come In. He knew, also, that
the men who were sitting around, still busy
with their tobacco, would not 10 home till
he closed up. SO after thinking awhile.
he threw away the stump OF his cigar and
arose from his chair.
just then the door opened, and q tall mar
IN clerical attire came In with a Jug In his
hand and a conciliatory smile on his face
4 was asking q OF the brethren in the
church." he said, where / could procure a
little Of the stimulant l am Obliged to take
for my stomach's sake and he told me Green
hut's was the place. Why, God bless me.
are o the Greenhut I used to know in
Greenville many years ago?S
Old man Greenhut did not respond
readily.
knowed q Methodist preacher in Green
vile, Dabney, front name o Samuel, Z
favored o some, but they tell me your
name is Slocum, Z. d. 'TaiD't likely you're
the same ono. This here Dabney came
to be a mighty slick poker player"
The Rev. Mr.. Slocum's smile grew broader
I'm the man, he said. You've mixed
up the names, somehow. Yes, I certainly
did take an interest-a purely academic
interest-in the game Of draw poker, but
/ haven't touched a ard for years. 7
found that l could make more in a might
playing poker than l could in a year saving
souls, but I could make more in a year stick
ing to my own business. You know q
poker player, no matter how good he il.
is always liable to meet somebody that's
better than he is
That's So said Joe Bassett, breaking
into the conversation abruptly, "an' I'd
be delighted for ono 10 lave a game o.
draw with any man as en- play such poker
as this here Dabney t Greenhut's been
tellin' about. How'd you like a freezeout
fr say a couple O hundred?"
Old man Greenhut had gone around
behind his bar by this time, and as the
stranger turned to speak to Bassett, the old
man could be seen making frantic gestures
Of warning to the arrogant Sheriff. Bassett.
however, ignored them and the stranger
did not see them.
IF you really desire il. l have no obieo-
ton, . he said, hesitatingly. Il fear l have
grown rusty from lack Of practice. but 7
will try my luck, anyhow, il you gentlemen
will not betray me to my congregation
An right, said Joe, and he strobe to the
bar for the cards and chips. Keen vour
trap shut he whispered TO Oreenbut
i've heard Of this man, and it's I'D to me
to expose him.
Greenhut said nothing, but he shook
his head doubtfully as he produced the
cards INC chips, and in another minute
the game was on.
They said afterward that SIocum's best
trick was to deal himself in the draw
the card he wanted from any part Of the
deck, but Bassett failed to detect ANYTHING
Of the sort, though he watched like a king.
fisher, and there were few men on the river