The Cairo bulletin., 1907-06-25
"A LIFE
AT STAKE

As ] uncerem ,alously threw open
the door OF the be- nhack, In which
Col. H. and his ., ~ were engrossed
la game OF dra | was greeted with
string OF cpl as. the rain that
blew IN with ne moistening the
dainty toys OF the COW punchers.
was soon I'M vested In my cards.
Poker always did interest me, wheth-
er II was played o. the green cloth
| OF fiashily fitted gantllng joint, or.
as on that night on blnch Of sheep
skins thrown indscri linatcly on the
floor, with the boys srattlng In
circle, our spurred boots doubled up
under us.
| was not destined 20 win fortune.
nor was anyone else on this Srtcular
OCCASION, for we were jerkcl away
irom dreams OF filling straight
open In the middle" by d lashil
% horses hoofs In the marshy grouu
without
Just as rudely as had entered tia
sheriff and three boys from the towa
pushed through the doors rhau
brought with them the news Ct TIVE
nervy galloots holding up the linitel
an hour before, cracking the eSptess
safe and stripping Pullman passengers
of watches, bank rolls and o,..ar
trinkets.
And they headed this way" said
the sheriff.
Cards, chips and money were left
In 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,
smilingly. Wen be with you in a
jiffy, jim shouted back the colonel,
whose 60 years didn't deter him from
joining man hunt.
We were off at a gallon 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 rainstorm and starless night
was trifing.
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 chunk off his right
ear.
We headed back to the ranch house
rhe sheriff had grabbed the sack OF
poodle and only the formality of TAX
ng the coyotes to jail remained 1t
vas the colonel who suggested 1t. and
think the sight of the poker para
,hernalia gave him the inspiration.
even the sheriff caught the fever and
and the captives jumped
i the unexpected chance The bandit
With the punctured ear was urged by
lis partner to play the hand with
life or death for both as the stake.
The boys picked me out to oppose
i'm.
Ii was to be the best two of three,
nd the colonel dealt the cards.
aught a pat flush on the first, and
creed Mr.. Robber to lay down his
and. His color didn't change mite,
or did his pal seem unduly nervous.
hey We're certainly game pair, even
they did surrender.
In the second deal | was beaten on
he draw, and began to get nervous,
Rough | wouldn't have hesitated to
clip string up the duo. It's pesky
uslness playing man for his life
hen your own is not In danger.
,uld feel the cold sweat on my fore
cad as the cards were tossed to me
n the third and last deal.
The boys leaned over us in breath
IS interest. Even the deputy hold
g the other robber crept up close.
J did the prisoner The man in
ont of me was the coolest In the
owd. caught two aces in the deal,
I'd / began TO pity my opponent On
q draw | got third ace, but
uldn't tell from the robbers impas.
We face whether he held deuses or
e best there was in the deck.
Lay down." shouted the sheriff.
rs your last chance His command
rs directed to the bandit. Slowly. de-
,erately. he placed the cards in
W on the floor. He held four kings.
You win!" / shouted, exultantly,
rowing down my three aces.
Good morning. gentlemen. 1t was
Al kind OF you" said the robber gent
IN sweeping bow. Touching his
zed partner on the arm, he preceded
n from the house.
L was a sheepish-looking crowd that
'od in circle for half minute.
: came to as the sound of galloping
rses reached our ears. The sheriff
rted for the door, Jerking his gun
m his hostler.
Hold on, Jim," shouted the colonel.
gu agreed to the game, and you
t. Don't try to stop them"
How'll I explain this STUFF" de-
nded the sheriff. pointing to the
k of recovered yaluables.
Don't Just lie. We're dumb"
md he did.