The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-02-16
FULL o. KNAVES

loriginal.l
After Tom Hazeltine sold Billy Nut
ting a doped horse for 500 that ~
turned to skin and bone as soon as he
failed to get his meals of arsenic Billy
was trying to get it back" on Tom.
You see, we fellows all understood one
another, and no one of the gang spared
another. After fellow had been sold
he laughed with the rest and bided
his time to get even. But Hazeltine
stuck Nutting for a larger amount
than we fellows liked TO see, and we
were ready to help him recover it from
the man who took 1t out Of him. Billy
was very nice about 1t. He Joined In
the laugh at his expense, sent the horse
to a fertillzing factory and pocketed
his loss-that Is. temporarily.
We used to meet at each others
rooms after business hours for a
small game of poker before dinner.
One afternoon when we were at Bill
ly's rooms, each with "a pile of chips
before us, there was a ring at the bell,
and an Italian came In with a parrot
for sale.
Don't want any parrots" said Billy
impatiently. Whose dealp
II have vera good parrot" said the
Italian. "You lika him vera much"
Don't want him." said Billy. Get
outr'
shut upw shrieked the parrot.
"You impudent little villain" ex-
claimed Billy.
This changed the interest from the
game to the parrot The Italian was
called upon to get him out Of his box
and make him perform.
ANTE up" croaked the parrot.
Polly" said Hazeltine, pretty poll!
What y got for show DOWN."
"Full O. knaves," crOaked the par
rot
There was a laugh, and some one
asked the parrot II he had anything
else, but the bird only had one answer
for all-"Full o. knaves."
You're dead right" remarked one
| of the party. There's more knavery
in this gang than in a dozen Jailblrds."
Deal the cards." the parrot sudden
" blurted out, rubbing his beak with
his claw and following the injunction
with a lot of parrot carvings.
by JOve," exclaimed Hazeltine, The
Is a rare bird to have on hand for g
poker party! He'd make no end o. fun.
What you want for him"
"Tell the gentleman your price, Poll, y
said the Italian.
1.-TWO cents" said the parrot.
mo, nor interposed the owner. ''Try
again. Your price-yOur price,"
"Seventy-five dollars"
"Great Scottv exclaimed Billy. "Sev-
enty-five dollars for parrot"
The italian shrugged his shoulders.
Put him up at auction" said Billy,
"with $50 a minimum"
The italian agreed, the bird was put
up. and Billy started the bidding by
Offering $25. Hazeltine, who was think
Ing what a treasure the bird would be
at his own poker parties, offered $50,
and the bidding became spirited. In a
few minutes the price was run up to
the limit but none of the bidders
seemed inclined to give way to the 9th
ers. Eighty, eighty-fve ninety, were
bid successfully. At the last figure all
dropped out except Billy Nuttlng and
Tom Hazeltine, who continued to top
each other 50 a bid At ninety Ave Ha
zeltine showed signs OF weakening.
Don't take water, TOm," whispered
one OF the party. THE birds worth
$500. There are plenty of parrots, but
never saw one that could talk like
that"
"Ninety-slxP cried Hazeltlne
Raise 1t to ninety-seven." from Nut
ting.
Ninety -elghtr' from Hazeltine.
Ninety from Nutting.
zone hundredw from Hazeltine.
''SoldT cried the Italian. You taka
da bird, taxa da money"
There was a roar OF laughter IL
which every one present Joined excep
the successful buyer, who, taking
fright at once, looked at the company
with wonder and inquiry.
Point upF' cried the parrot
? This treasured the purchaser. HI
took a roll of bills from his pocket ant
handed 800 to the Italian, who mad,
no delay in getting out.
Come, POLL" said Billy: ''show you
owner what bargain he's made. Tall
about the game OF poker"
Polly was silent
Tell Us about those knaves you wer,
mentioning"