The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-03-31
STRANGER WITH
A NEW SCHEME
Drops in at Old Man Greenhut'S
and Poker Hands Are
Dealt.
CNeW York SUM-


the story Of travel-stained stranger
who had entered the place only a few
minutes before, and who had aroused
general interest by the simple and
time-worn expedient of inviting al
those present to have a drink at his
expense.
1t was noticeable that old man
Greenhut looked at him somewhat
doubtfully when the invitation was
given, as if he We're not quite satisfied
in his own mind as TO the strangers
ability to pay for the round. but the
doubt was not strong enough to keep
him from doing business. and the alac-
rity with which the others I'm the room
stepped up 10 the bar showed that they
were troubled with no misgivings.
When the first round was finished,
however, and the stranger, with bluff
heartiness that seemed almost too pro-
nounced to be genuine. proposed an
other drink for ali hands, before paying
for the first, there was a conspicuous
lull, Old man Greenhut made no mo-
tion toward setting the bottle on the
bar again, but looked steadily and in
quiringly at the stranger. who in turn
looked back at him as if puzzled.
What the he began but lake
WinterbottOm interrupted him hastily.
You see. stranger" he said, there's
an Arkansas City custom o. paying for
your drinks as fast as you get EN-
Saves runnin' up a bill. you know. an
the old mans kind o tied TO his hab-
it's"
OH said the stranger, sarcastical-
y, your Arkansas City liquor must be
n leetle more fatal n the run % booze
i'm the riNST towns if YOU can't rely on
"a man Twin through two rounds. If
that's the rule o the house. though, it
goes. o course. / arays plays house
rules. Just keep on servin' of 'em
as long as that lasts, old man, an let
me know when there's any change
comm to YOU"
And he produced a large wad. from
which he peeled off a $50 bill. tossing it
to Greenhut caTelessly.
At this the cOnstraint vanished and
good fellowship became revelry. The
stranger proved 10 be entertaining in
more ways than one, and sang songs
and told stories in way that would
have won the regard of his listeners
even without his lavish hospitality.
As the others warmed up old man
GTeenhut seemed to become more and
more watchful, not To say suspicious.
Presently the stranger began to talk
about himself. and old man Greenhut
stepped. as was said, To the end of the
bar TO listen. 1t might have been be-
cause he kept his bungstarteT there. or
il might not, but il was near at hand.
Fact is" said the stranger, Il live
cOnsid' able ways up the st. Francis
river. an there's ben stories comm up
tn river FIR good spell concernin' the
game o. poker YOU uns plays"
Il knowed it muttered the old man
to himself He's another one of 'em.
an moren't likely he's got new
scheme"
Il reckon there amt no doubt of
you uns bein' as slick as they us" con-
tinued the stranger. Anyways. there's
stories enough has come floatin' up the
st. Francis for to set all the cross
roads gamblers i'm the valley nigh
crazy. There's consid' able pride about
il an cOnsid able more hankerin' after
Arkansas City money. an they've put
IN job on you an I'm i'm it"
The effect of this statement on the
strangers auditors was various. Joe
Bassett. the big sheriff. was frankly
angry. BlaidseII and PearsaII both
thought evidently that \the stranger
had been drinking too much. and they
smiled i'm a tolerant fashion. Jake VIII
terbottOm looked thoughtful as if he
scented a possible profit II him and his
friends. And old man Greenhut shook
his head slightly and muttered again
to himself.
This here yao pears to be huntin'
round tOrablc Deart FIR a Dice o. rope
long enough for to hang hisself with
Mebbe he mOught find it if he keeps
on loOkin'."
The stranger looked around compia-
Gently and seemed 10 enjoy the SEN
sation he had made Then he re-
peated:
They've put uD Z job on YOU uns.
an I'm i'm it,
"Bein' as you've saw fit to tell we
uns as much as you has. mebbe you
mought go a bit further" said Jake
Winterbottom. motioning 20 the sher-
iff to keep quiet. an let on about
what sort of a job this is. Pears like
faint no greet secret
We'll. tits an faint" said the
stranger. My pals is comm on the
next boat is recknin' on me gittin' in
innate with you uns afOre they gets
here. an standin' in with them when
we get to play. That's what they're
lookin' for an I'll leave il to you if / |
he int got some intimate already"
You sure have" said Winterbottom. |
Now 60 on an tell us what your game |
RELY is
Amt it plain?" demanded the
stranger. Billy Burton-that's me
amt no fool. even if he does come FIN |
Ap tic 1t II ldllClS. PERKINS an Gay ]
Tor, that's comm they reckon I'll |
deel 'em the winnin' hands an they're |
'xpectin' for TO pack your wads home
with 'em. Now. l know what they're |
goin' to fetch, and I'd ruther stand in /
with you FIR a part o that an get my |
own wad back, nor ! would to stand in |
with them an go home broke
This was almost more than Joe Bas- |
sett could endure. He stepped quickly /
forward, exclaiming:
well, of all the black heart"
Hold ON. Joe said old man Green
nut, pushing him TO one side. Il want /
% say to you, Mr.. Burton. that you're /
lust the kind of a man I Arkansas
rity is proud an glad to get a-hold /
#.
I'VE do treat strangers sort o
oueh here sometimes. but it's On'y
when they lay 'emselves open to ii.
They get shot, or tarred an feathered.
II dropped in the river if they're de-
erwin of it, put when we get hold of
man like you we feel like we
oulGn't do enough tO-for EN-.
You've got more sense nor a hull
Iilin' of owls. So you reckon you'd
frfher f1lax with TIE local talent an |