The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-03-29
THE OLD MAN
WON THE POT
Bot for a Time It Looked as Il
the Stranger Would Garry Off
Arkansas Chy's Money.

City and noticed in a discouraged way thai
the seepage through the levee still flowed
inward, Likely II any on US lives long
enough we'll see the river begin to fall,
'thouten it's TO be another deluge.'
Il don't make no p'tensions to bein' all
fired strong IN the Bible observed Jake
Winterbottom dryly, but l al'ays herd
it spoke Of as a long lane I hadn't no turn
10 1t. / don't call TO mind no mention o.
worms rs was extry ZENITH, Not into the
Scriptures, l don't
Same thingl' snapped old man Greenhut,
testify resenting the correction. Wouldn't
neither one on EN- turn, / reckon, 'thouten
twas trod onto consid'able,'
"oh, don't know, " said Mr.. Owen Pepper.
They wiggle some INTO a hshhook,'
How in blue blazes en- you put a lane
onto a fshhook?' asked Sam Pearsall in a
perfectly audible undertone, turning to
Bassett as II expecting him to explain.
That worthy shook his head in a hope
less way without attempting a reply, but
old man Greenhut blazed out in wrath,
to the great but secret satisfaction Of the
others.
'Bein' as you uns is gettin' 30 hell roarin'
well posted on the Scripters,' he shouted,
pears like some on ye mought call to
mind what to be did when there's strangers
round waitin' to be took in, Std O. settin'
round tryin' to count raindrops.'
Look a-here,' said Joe Bassett, in
~dignantly. You're a-springin' that there
kind O reflection onto the c'munity tol'able
frequent lately. amt heered o no stran-
gers here but one, an Pete Kenny's got
him in tow More'n likely he'll get him
here by tonight
"Oh, well y said the old man, that's
diff rent. l didn't know about Pete. An
there amt no use O. you gettin mifed, Joe.
l was on'y speakin' fr your own good
There's things you mought "a said, as
d a did a heap more good nor them favor
ite moral lessons O. yourn,' growled Bassett
in truculent fashion, and as the old man
looked around at the others in the room
and noted their sympathy with the big
Sheriff he decided that he had probably
gone a little too far, and he promptly said;
This ones on the house, and he set out
the bottles and glasses.
The gdrgling blobs Of the red liquor as it
ran from the bottle to glass were har-
bingers Of peace, and it's warmth, as it
trickled over thirsty palates, rekindled
friendship. There was 10 more acerbity
when the talk began again.
Il heerd this Teller was wanted, said old
man Greenhut presently.
Yes said Bassett indiferently. I'm
reck'nin' on nsbbin' him tomorrow. He
can't get outer town atore that. More'n
likely, though. I he's got the swag with
him, an | was thinkin' mebbe a game O.
draw tonight
His slow, deliberate draw ceased, and
he said no more, but as he looked at old
man Greenhut he grinned slightly, and
the old man nodded. Then they both
looked around and the others nodded.
None Of them knew the secret Of John
Barlow's double life, led in Memphis for
the Ave years that had just ended. They
knew, as almost everybody else along the
river knew. that he had got away from
the bank with a large sum-no one out
side the bank knew how large ii was and
NAAaA vas a AVNaAN Va u NlADAoulANA
dollars offered for his arrest.
And they knew that somehow he must
have gone across country to Little Rock,
from which place he had arrived in Arkansas
City the night before, because somebody
had recognized him on the train and not
caring TO tackle a desperate mar SINGLE
handed had brought the news TO Bassett,
hoping for a share in the reward. So
much they knew, though John Barlow
did not suspect that they knew it.
What he knew and they did not suspect
was that the fever Of gambling had burned
within him for the whole OF these five years
with a fire that had first scared his natural
affections, 30 that he had grown indifferent
and then callous TO all who had ever been
near and dear to him, and had then con-
sumed his honor and his ambition, 80 that
all there was left inside OF him was an I'M
holy lust for the Rame and an Unsuitable
greed for the stakes.
Yet such was the curious double nature
Of this man he would not ~relinquish his
hold on the training Of a lifetime and on
the position to which II had brought him,
until he should have perfected himself in
the practice OF that game into which he
had resolved 10 cast his whole future.
So for the five years he gave a double
stint Of a strong mans labor, toiling at the
bank by day till he had achieved his high
position, and studying the game by night.
disguised, among strangers and under
a false name. till he had become more ex-
pert than the best Of all the players he
had been able 10 find.
Then he had made the great plunge, care
fully and deliberately, and had escaped,
unseen and unsupported, so that there was
no clue to his whereabouts up to the mo-
ment Of that chance meeting on the Little
Rock train. By a devious Tout5 he had
travelled to Arkansas City for the express
purpose Of matching his strength with the
famous players who held the championship
Of the Mississippi Valley.
This was the man who was now plodding
through the mud toward old man Green
hut's saloon in the guidance Of Pete Kenny,
whose fstuous quest Of the royal flush was a
byword among his comrades and who
verify thought he was bringing easy money
TO the gang.
The Introduction Of the stranger when
he reached the saloon was informal, but
sufficient. The two stepped TO the bar
and the stranger called for the drinks, and
then. when old mar Greenhut was serving
them, turned to- the others, saying pleas
antly, Wont you join us?'
They would, and as they came up Pete
said carelessly. Il met the gent up to the
hotel an he lowed he'd like TO see somepin
o. tn town.
Kind Of a poor time 10 see II when it's
mostly under water" said the old man with
forced POPULARITY, and they talked Of the
food till there was time for the stranger
10 treat again.
What do you do with yourselves in Hood
timer be asked when the second drink was
disposed Of.
"Nothin' mostly, said the old man. "but
the boys plays cards sometimes in the hack
room. Casino, | reckon. or seven up. !
don't take no interest into IL myself.
HTharaia r0ht 1oOd rama I learnad I'm