The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-30
IRON THE FRYING
/ TO FIRE.
River Gamblers Find the Shore
Brand OF Poker a Little
Too Skilful.


Early one evening in the fall Of Eighty
something a small group Of sporting mep
sat on the upper deck Of the Mississippi
River packet City OF hatcher regarding
one another gloomily, as men sorely per-
picked and desperately anxious for some
ilumining thought.
II was the worst season in a ~protracted
series Of seasons. zach OF which in turn
had been worse than the preceding one.
for the exercise Of those talents on which
they depended for their l~ivelihood-the
worst, that lie, 80 far as the Missiasippi River
boats were concerned. The time had been,
but no longer was, when any one OF these
men there were four Of them) could sup
port himself luxuriously. as luxury was
reckoned by him and his fellows. with
no further eXertion than travelling up
and down the river playing draw poker.
FEAR by year. however. the prejudices
Of the public against open gambling on
the boats had. grown more pronounced.
and the captains Of the boats had realized
the importance OF maintaining their boats
reputation. Poker had been discouraged
and finally forbidden IN one boat after
another, until the City Of Natohez was
almost the only one on which q friendly
game" could be arranged without probable
interruption. The final blow had come
that evening when Caleb Mix, the veteran
bartender OF the boat, had tipped on the
| four that "the old man wouldn't stand
for poker any more.
Il reckon the end o. things is COME
said jim Bowers, the Oldest Of the four.
sour days o. usefulness likely won't never
come back, an the best thing fr We uns
is to hustle fr a Job into some Sunday
school"
SWELL, l don't know said Victor Hobbs.
a brawny Texan who had the reputation
| Of winning more pots by virtue Of his force
full personality that he did with winning
cards. Il don't know. Judgin' I'm what
I've heer'd I reckon there amt no good,
payin' jobs in the Sunday schools what's
yawnin' wide open fr you In me. Jim.
We mought organize a band O. train robberS,
though
If that's your game said Billy Farrar,
why not start with a steamboat We
mought sot Cap'n Foss asho, an run the
City o. Natches down To-
that's different" said Victor Hobbs,
hastily, and indeed the mere mention Of
Capt. Foss seemed TO extingu ish interest
in this proposal.
Dick Dare, as he chose 70 call himself,
wan the fourth man in the group. He
Listened to what was said. showing evil
denoe ofstrop q disgust, and when the others
had all spoken he said: you uns pears to
find amusement outen a tol'able sore spot.
Likely you all has bank Az Or
me, 1 amt clumb up the tree o. prosperity
ktrh nnonnh foy tn lab m n An0H nka
this an not get seasick. II I don't get
somepin' or somebody to do, I'm time to
time, I've got TO 60 TO the old gents home
an I amt got no college dedication. l
can't deal faro. The on'y thing / knows
is poker
That's it," said Farrar. gloomily. But
what II there amt no poker2 You hcer'd
what Gale said"
yep. / herd what Gale said. But
Cap'n Foss amt boss o. the whole world.
Why not try some place else II there amt
no mo- poker on tine boatef'
The others saw a CLEAN Of hope in Dick
Dare's suggestion and Immediately began
q discussion Of likely places. They reached
no conclusion. but finally one said: This
here's dry work. anyway. Let's liquor.
an maybe Gale on give us q steer. He
knows oonsid'able.'
The quartet were soon lined up in front
Of Caleb MiI's bar. listening.
you nns Is all full grown said the
veteran. AN you amt no ways skeered
Of q strenuous game. II you've RELY out
fr blood there amt but one place fr to 60.
an that's Arkansas City"
Gosh, Gale, what's this meani Be
you cappin' fr old man Gresnhut?" said j:s::
Bowers reproachfully.
Il amt cappin' fr no man. said Caleb,
stoutly. I'm givin' you the kind o. steer
/ reckon you want. Likely you'd ruther
play bagatelle with suckers. but suckers amt
swimmin' round on sho' anywheres 7
l knows on. An if you uns want real North
American poker. mems size. Ireckon you
sho'ly will find it in old man Greenhut's
back ROOM
The four men looked at one another
doubtfully at first, but presently Farrar
said. Il reckon it's a case o. dog eat dog.
FIN what I hear the old man rum a open
game. Greenhut money is good enough
fr me, Z we ON get it.
Il don't see why we can't" said Victor
Hobbs. do you, Cale3'
well, don't know, said Mix. doubtfully.
IF it's a square game Jake Winterbottom
ia as foxv as they is. II it's a question O.
d calm. Jim Blaisdell is some good. An
|! it's g rou7h house. Joe Bassett hzin't
never been licked g fur e I've herd
This time they all looked doubtfully at
Caleb, and Hobbs said with a hard laugh.
sYo' reckon we uns 10 outclassed, then,
do ven
well. l amt sayin' that" said Mix, de-
Iiherataly ct amt herd o. YOU balm
licked, an Dick Dave is reokoned a slick
dealer. but what l do say is I you1l find
a good, stiff game at old man Greenhut's.'