The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-02-21
Story Of the Last Deal in a
Lively Game Of Poker.
A FORTUNE ON THE TABLE
The Hand That Won Rich Stakes and
the Man Who Held It--What Sena-
tor Sharon Had to Pay to Salts
fy His Lingering Curiosity.

old days, and many good stories have
been told or the nerve and coolness OF
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, and
when 1t happened that Senator'S 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. II happened upon one Of these
occasions that certain Mr.. Hall from
Boston was at the hotel
Mr.. Hall was smooth and affable
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 farorite bard. He
had made his works his life's study,
and any one who appreciated him had
a call on the senator's friendship.
on 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.. Hal put
In an appearance. Mr.. Sharon at once
introduced Mr. Hall TO his friends and
invited the party to dinner. which was
served in Senator Sharons room.
After dinner Mesick proposed lit
tie game of draw No one said nay.
though Mr. Hall dlfidently 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. Il never heard q man make that
remark vet who was not to be watch
ed He spoke Ia Jest but his words
weee sooth.
The cards were produced, and the
game at a dollar ante was inaugurated.
There was no limit Now, with such
veterans as MesicE. 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 Halls
deals Mr. Stewart hoped in with
twenty dollar bet Jones. evidently |
pleased with his hand. saw him and /
went $50 better Mesick and Sharon 4
were not afraid and took some of the
pie themselves. MIR. 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 'sdefin Stewart and
Jones dropped out Mesick stood few
more raises and then retired. leaving
the fight to sharon ana Hall There
was BY this time $4,000 IN the pot.
eIT raise you $4,000 Mr. Hail.
said Sharon. his thin lips set and his
goiee low aud determined.
Halls answer was to ring the bell,
md when the waiter appeared he ask
IA him for d blank California bank
heck.
II presume, gentlemen, my check is
is good as cash." be said politely.
Certainly, sir" replied Senator Shar-
IN You see our checks in the pot
already"
Slowly and deliberately Hall filed
,nt the check, signed it and spread the
olotter over 1t without tremor. Then
ie pushed 1t quietly to the center Of the
able and said:
q have seen your $4,000, senator,
ind 90 you $4,000 better"
Sharon looked at him steadily for
ome moments. Hairs composure was
,erfect. There was half smile Of
confidence on his face, but no indica-
ion Of boastfulness or excitement
"AIr. Hail. said Sharon, 4 feel sure
gu bold the better hand, and do not
are TO waste my money. The pot Is
ours, sir"
Without any appearance Of exulta-
ion Hall raked in the coin, bills and
hecks. separated them and put them
d his pockets Meanwhile his hand
Nv face down upon the table. .
''Afr. Hail." said Sharon, Il viii give v
GU 500 If you will show me your n
and. III
Senator Sharon replied the Bos <
,nian, st is not enough. Nor would h
show It to you now for $1,000 Still {,
, satisfy your curiosity, l win put
lis hand in an envelope, seal it up 80 y
our presence and put it III the hotel t
lfe, to be called for by yon ten days Al
ence. but upon this condition: Thai y
Oh will put $3.50 in an envelope, TO go '
ito the hotel safe and to be delivered "
} me nine days hence" m
Sharon reelected for a few minutes L
was a struggle between curiosity =
i'd coin Finally curiosity conquered. ,
I'd both envelopes were sealed ard IN
listed to the custody Of the clerk ul
hen the ten days elapsed, Mr. Shar- 8
] called for his package and exam -
ed the hand nothing but a pair o. u
suces and ten high He had been the
ctim OF colossal bluff.