The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1907-06-22
A LIFE
Ar STAKE

1t was fine night to stick up Q
train!
As | unceremoniously threw open
tho door of the adobe shack, in which
Col q. and his outfit were engrossed
IN n game Of draw. was greeted with
swing of epithets, the rain that
b \ in with me moistening the
'da.Ity" toys of the COW punchers.
vas soon interested In my cards
Pckor always did interest me, wheth
a it. vas played on the green cloth
Of fashily fitted gambling Joint. or,
as on that night on bunch Of sheep.
skins thrown Unfortunately on the
hoor with the boys squatting In
circle, our srurred boots doubled up
Under us.
| YVES net destined to win fOrtu"e
DC vas anyone else on this particular
a.'or. Ter we were jerked away
: - !.GLns Of filling straigli,
On n the middle" by splashina
hcr5cs' hoofs in the marshy ground
without.
Just as rudely as had entered the
sheriff and three boys from the town
rushed through the doors, They
brought with them the news of two
nervy galloots holding up the limited
an hour before. cracking the express
safe and stripping Pullman passengers
cf watches, bank rolls and other
t..nE, ..
= i they headed this way" said
o. ,aerif
ca. -, chips and money were lefl
+ a conglomerate mass as the boys
jumped to their feet and started for
the corral after their bronchos.
Il thought you'd like to be in on
the sport" commented the sheriff,
smi''.sly. well be with you In a
jify. JIM" shouted back the colonel
whose go years didn't deter him FROM
Joining a man hunt.
We were off at gallop Is minutes
later. The advantage was all with
us. There wasn't man In the posse
who couldn't find every hole In the
prairie In blizzard, and little thing
like a rainstorm and starless night
was trifling.
The bandits horses were all In when
we came UP with them. They had
sense enough to realize the game was
up. One of them did get kind of OBJ.
streperous, and the sheriff cooled him
down by chipping a chunk off his right
ear.
We headed back to the ranch house.
The sheriff had grabbed the sack OF
Doodle and only the Formally of tax.
tho IN iail ,aipah 4
was the colonel who suggested it, and
think the sight of the poker para.
phernalia gave him the inspiration.
Even the sheriff caught the fever and
consented, and the captives jumped
at the unexpected chance. The bandit
with the punctured ear was urged by
his partner to play the hand with
life or death for both as the stake.
The boys picked me out to oppose
him.
II was to be the best two of three,
and the colonel dealt the cards. ]
caught pat flush on the first, and
forced Mr.. Robber to lay down his
hand. His color didn't change mite,
nor did his pal seem unduly nervous.
They were certainly game pair, even
If they did surrender.
In the second deal was beaten on
the draw, and | began to get nervous,
though l wouldn't have hesitated to
help string up the duo. It's pesky
business playing man for his life
when your own is not In danger. ]
could feel the cold sweat on my fore
head as the cards were tossed to me
for the third and last deal.
The boys leaned over us In breath.
less interest Even the deputy hold.
ing the other robber crept up close,
as did the prisoner. The man in
front of me was the coolest In the
crowd. caught two aces in the deal,
and began to pity my opponent. On
the draw | got third ace, but I
couldn't tell from the robbers impas.
sive face whether he held deuces or
the best there was in the deck.
Lay down." shouted the sheriff.
ats your last chance. His command
was directed to the bandit. Slowly. de-
. liberately, he placed the cards In a
row on the floor He held four kings.
"You win'" | shouted, exultantly,
throwiGg down my three aces.
Good morning. gentlemen. 1t was
real kind Of you" said the robber gent
with 3 coping bow, Touching his
da cd ! artney en- the arm. he preceded
him frcm tho house.
1t was a she p!sh.looking crowd that
stood IN circle for half minute.
We can, to as the sound of galloping
hc"ses reached our ears. The sheriff
started Tor the door, Jerking his gun
from his hostler.
Hold on, jim" shouted the colonel.
"You agreed to the game, and you
lost. Don't try to stop them"
How'll / explain this stuff?" de-
manded the sheriff, pointing to the
sack of recovered valuables.
Don't. Just lie. We're dumb"
And he did,