The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-10-30
PRESCRIBING
FOR THE DOCTOR

modest means meet every SUNDAY
afternoon for a quiet little game Of
draw poker At the last meeting the
doctor, the senior member of the uuin.
Jet, mad tried TO make away wtlF a
large pot by standing pat on hand
that was unfit for publication, and
winch was called and beaten by a
pair OF jacks held by wilkins whom
the doctor detested on account of his
lnquisitiyeness. The doctor who was
rather cholerc, had left the room in
a rage, vowing. as he had ON various
other occasions, that he was done
with the game forever, but week S
time had smoothed his rutiied feelings
and he was now the picture of good
humor and composure,
What added somewhat to his pres
ent good humor was the fact that he
held in his pudgy fat hands three
mines, before the draw, and all the
players in on a large jackpot.
Wilkins had been pressing the but
ton at regular intervals and also do
ing the rest which gave him very
optimistic view of things In general.
He had stood all raises and with a
jack, king and queen of hearts was
trusting in kind Fortune with a child
like faith that was beautiful TO behold
to bestow upon him straight flush.
1t was the Doctors deal and he
nervously tossed the cards to the sew
eral players as they called for the
number desired. Wilkins, with d
pleasant smile on his face, was lost
in thought and absentmindedly maxi
ing rings on the table with the bot
tom Of his glass.
"Mr. wilkins, ii You Will come ont
OF your trance and call for your cards
the game will proceed, said the doe!
tor with growing impatience, and cast
ing wolfish eyes a. the stacks Of blue
and yellow checks in the center Of the
table
with start beg pardon, Doc" he
said, Just tear me two off the roof
Any two will do"
The doctor dealt two cards to him.
and holding up queen as a kicker
to his three mines, dealt one card to
himself He squeezed his cards tight.
ly to see that none Of them got away
and slowly skinned them over with
considerable misgiyings, as he thought
Of several one-card draws against him.
TO his great satisfaction he found a
fourth nine.
The opener on his left led off with |
/ modest bet and the others simply |
made good, except Wilkins, who had |
frightened up all at once and seemed |
o take considerable interest in the |
situation.
IF you people play poker with me |
you have got to have the goods, vii
iins remarked Doc, just stack up
alongside of that if you think well of
your hand" he said as he dumped a
stack of yellows dehantly in front of
him, and then put stack of blues on
.op of the yellows.
There was dangerous CLEAN in the |
ioctor's eyes as he fingered the bills |
hat were under his checks.
well, mine are pretty good cards. |
ne said, TN just bet you $40 harder,
Mr.. Man" and pushed checks and
money into the pot.
A sigh of distress went up from the |
,ther players as they dropped their
A., 1rr inf Il "a /
t was up to wilkins again. Doc, he
aid, I've got you beat, but I'll just
all you | know you've been loser in
his game, so I'll let YOU down easy
The doctor glared iiercely over his
pectaoles at his opponent Never
.ou mind about me, you play your
land, | don't want any of your sym
,athy."
wilkins peeled two tens off his pile
# bills and pushed them into the pot
aying meanwhile, Now, my elderly
rlend, will YOU kindly let us see what
on are sitting behind"
I'm sitting behind four OF the big
.est mines in the deck that's what"
mapped the doctor.
Sorry. Doc said wilkins as he
rained his glass, but they won't do;
have here royal straight flush of
carts" and he counted them down
ne at time-"Ace, king, queen, jack.
en-" As he dropped the last card on
he table his face took on a troubled
IMPRESSION. The card was an eight.
nd not a ten OF hearts.
The doctor had been rapidly going
ito state of nervous collapse, but
n seeing the last card had recovered
uickly.
I've been playing poker 40 years.
nd that's the first ten ever saw with
nly eight spots on IL. he said. sar
.stically. He drew in the pot and
Ianced at his watch. Great Scott"
e exclaimed, Il had no idea it was so
tie. Here. cash these checks. /
romised my wife would take her to
lurch tonight, and ! just have time
, get there
A protest arose. but all to no effect
Never broke a promise 10 my wife
my life. and too late to begia now"
,e doctor said. getting into his coat
nd moving toward the door
Spencer had taken no part in the
fort to detain the winner. but now
2 inquired il the doctor did not live