Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-03-06
GOODNESS AND NERVE
The Story of the Last Deal In a
Lively Game of Poker.
A FORTUNE ON THE TABLE.

The Hand That Won the Rich Stakes
and the Man Who Held lt-What
Senator Sharon Had to Pay to Sat-
isfy His Lingering Curiosity.
There were many lively games or
poker played in San Francisco In the
old days, and many good stories have
been told of the nerve and GOODNESS or
the players who participated therein.
The following story Of one Of those
games was printed in a San Francisco
paper some years ago:
The Palace hotel in the early days OF
its existence was the arena of some big
poker games. Senator Sharon was an
enthusiastic lover of the game, ana
when it happened that Senators Stew
art and Jones Of Nevada and Judge
Dick Mesick occurred" in the hotel at
the same time there was sure to be hot
work. 1t happened upon one of these
occasions that a certain Mr.. Hall from
Boston was at the hotel.
Mr.. Hall was a smooth and arabic
gentleman and completely won Sena-
tor Sharon's heart because of his love
for Byron and his excellent memory,
he being able to quote hundreds OF
lines Of the poets verse without halt.
Byron was Sharon's favorite bard. He
had made his works his life's study,
and any one who appreciated him had
O call on the senator's friendship.
On q certain evening the three sena-
tors and Judge Mesick met In the hotel
lobby. 1t was just before dinner, and
while they were chatting Mr.. Hall put
in on appearance. Mr.. Sharon at once
introduced Mr.. Hall to his friends and
invited the party to dinner, which was
served in Senator Sharon's room.
After dinner Mesick proposed lit
tie game of draw" No one said nay.
though Mr.. Hall efficiently remarked
that they did not play much In Boston,
where he came from, but that still he
was willing to stand in and do his
best
Look out for Hail." remarked Shar-
on. II never heard man make that
remark yet who was not to be watch
ed" He spoke in jest, but his words
were sooth.
The cards were produced. and the
game at dollar ante was inaugurated.
There was no limit. Now. with such
veterans as Mesick, Jones and Stewart
the pot was not allowed to get cold for
lack Of chipping. The men played with
varying success, and things ran pretty
even for an hour or so. Mr.. Hall was
cautious and dribbled away his checks
with Indifference. After one of Hairs
deals Mr. Stewart hoped In with a
twenty dollar bet Jones. evidently
pleased with his hand, saw him and
went $50 better. Mesick and Sharon
were not afraid and took some of the
pie themselves. Mr.. Hall, the dealer,
scanned his hand carefully and con-
cluded that there was something In 1t
for him. All drew-Hall one Garland
then the fun began. Round and round
again went the def" Stewart and
Jones dropped out. Mesick stood few
more raises and then retired, leaving
the fight to Sharon and Hall. There
was by this time $4,000 in the pot.
an raise you $4,000, Mr.. Hall"
said Sharon. his thin lips set and his
voice low and determined.
Halls answer was to ring the bell.
and when the waiter appeared he ask
ed him for blank California bank
check.
81 presume. gentlemen, my check Is
as good as cash." he said politely.
Certainly. sir" replied Senator Shar-
on. "You see our checks in the pot
already"
Slowly and deliberately Hall filed
out the check, signed it and spread the
blotter over 1t without tremor. Then
he pushed 1t quietly to the center of the
table and said
81 have seen your $4,000, senator,
and go you $4,000 better"
Sharon looked at him steadily for
some moments. Halls composure was
perfect. There was half smile of
confidence on his face, but no indica-
tion of boastfniness or excitement
'Mr Hail." said Sharon, II feel sure
you hold the better hand, and / do not
care to waste my money. The pot Is
yours, SIR"
Without any appearance Of exulta-
ton Hall raked in the coin, bills and
checks, separated them and put them
in his pockets. Meanwhile his hand
lay face down upon the table.
"Mr. Hail." said Sharon, 81 will give
you 500 if you will show me your
hand"
Senator Sharon" replied the Bos-
tonian, ut is not enough. Nor would
I show it to you now for $1,000. Still,
to satisfy your curiosity, l will put
this hand in an envelope, seal it up In
your presence and put it in the hotel
safe, to be called for by you ten days
hence, but upon this condition: That
you will put $3.50 in an envelope, to go
into the hotel safe and to be delivered
to me nine days hence"
Sharon reflected for a few minutes.
1t was a struggle between curiosity
and coin. Finally curiosity conquered,
and both envelopes were sealed and in
trusted to the custody Of the clerk.
When the ten days elapsed. Mr.. Shar-
on called for his package and exam
ined the handwriting but pair or
deuces and ten high. He had been the
victim of colossal bluff.
To Begin With.
'Now, my children. what Is an abso-
lutte necessity for family prayersT
Boy-A anily.--Harper's Weekly.