The sun., 1908-12-27

- SStN eboetts ne bIiaWSEtnB tue 0e80flp
tion of slab sided lobster with ret
hair that Mr. Pepper had given.
biaisdel alone seemed unmovad b,
the intelligence and regarded Winter
bottoms glum looks with great soorn
when Baker entered the saIoon one eve
ming and after establishing his footinI
In the approved fashion asked IL Their
was any show for to get into gam,
blaisdell assured him that there was
but he was obliged to add that.it woul,
have 70 be, two handed, as he was tn,
only man in the house that cared to pia,
with strangers,
WELL said Baker. "froessout suit
me 90 we'll as q round game. I'll, q
you one for hundred Just i'r q startsr
II you like
YOU'RE on said Blaisdell. awhatt
IL bef Draw or STUDIO
u amt 30 hell roarin' p'tiolsr, saie
the stranger. sbut don't you reckon stuf
e some swifter N draw when it's twt
handedf" :
Sure is.' replied Blaisdeh. -Spose'n
We make 1t stud.' ~
And stud 1t was. rs
In the little group that looked on ut tht
game that was started nobody had am
confidence in the efficacy OF the voodot
charm when Blaisdell had the deal, as iuct
was not supposed to be an important
factor In the game ut such timee, but q,
according to agreement each man was II
deal till he should win q pot, when, ths
deck passed to the other player it wal
thought that there might be come remark.
able hands out when Baker dealt II he
really had voodoo charm in good work.
ing order. Accordingly there was. q
nervous interest in the game among the
bystanders.
Biaisdell dealt first. and in accordance
with his usual custom made no display oi
his skill at tile outset, but allowed his
antagonist to win several small pots
Then. Judging that the other had gathered
he rifi1ed the cards somewhat
more carefully and gave Baker king
for his first card showing and dealt himself
q jack. .
Baker put up dollar. the betting being
as yet rather modest, and Blaisdell covered
it. Then he gave Baker ten spot and
himself arother jack. making it his bet.
He put IS in the pot and Baker. looking
again at his buried card. seemed minded
to raise, but after some consideration
simply stayed.
The next cards came ten seven. giving
Baker q pair Of tens insight but leaving
the bet still with Blsisdeli. Thisytime the
bet was $40. and Baker promptly raised It
BIO.
Looks like tol'able long chance, y
said Blaisdell. ooolly, sbut reckon I'll
risk it, +" and he covered the raise.
On the final round Baker caught queen
and Blaisden another jack, whereupcp he
threw in white chip and Baker folded.
This put the two players about even
and the deal passed. The next hand
seemed at fret to indicate that Bakers
uck would hold, for the cards fell to
aim queen, six and queen showing.
against Blaisdells ten. eight and jack.
There was about $50 in the pot when
Baker. betting on his queens. put in $40
more. M
To the surprise of ali the others Blais-
lell covered the bet and then showed
lis stack forward. Only one explanation
II this play by 4 man Of Blaisdeii's skill
vas possible. s
He was beaten in sight and the only
iand he could fill was straight. since
lis cards were Of different suits, and the
formal chance Of making q straight was
lot enough to Justify his bet, so that his
riends realized that in some way he
must feel himself assured OF getting the
ard he wanted. although, at the time
4 betting he could only see the back Of
!. They remembered. however. that
ilaisdell had been known to guess correctly
i the face value of card by looking at
rs back. and they did not, as Baker did.
egard it as an in timed bluff
Even Baker seemed at first to think
here was something dangerous in 80
nexpe cted a play. and he hesitated.
ut after looking carefully at the two
ands as they lay he saw that his two
ueens would beat anything but a straight
hat Blaisdell could hold unless he had
buried ace or king, and he put up his
tack confidently enough and dealt the
ast cards. -'l 'f go.
BlaisdelPs card was a nine and Baker, g
,as third queen. but BlaiAdell turned
yer his buried card, which proved to be
be case queen. while Bakers was an
ce. E'.a
sThat sure was some lucky said
aker, in astonishment. but reckon
n put up ag'in that kind o. play f'r q
pell. Play you f'r five hundred
"Goodl' said Blaisde.l. and they, put
p their money. -.
In the second freezeout Blaisde.l did
OF deal onoe. Baker losing every pot
u he was again broke, to the evident
mazsment OF Winterbottom. Then he
aid he reckoned he'd had enough.
Il amt buokin' ag'in no such run O.
Iok as that he said, and Blaisdell
rinned.
aThere was man said you had a charm
hat done give you oonsid'ab,e luck at
oker." said Winterbottom. as they all
.ood at the bar on Haisde,ls invitation.
Dut I reckon he must "a got twisted |
,me way. How about it?'
Il did have one said Baker. 'an' I'd
ither lost leg n TO have it stole. likeit
ea last week"
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