Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1908-04-08
GOODNESS AND NERVE
The Story of the Last Deal In a
Lively Game of Poker.
A FORTUNE ON THE TABLE.

| ~ NV "'@H VINO rIeid U-Whai
Senator Sharon Had to Pay to- Sat
I isfy His Lingering Curiosity.
There were many lively games of
poker played in San Francisco In the
old days, and many good stories have
been told OF 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 biz
poker games Senator Sharon was an
enthusiastic lover OF the game. and
when it happened that Senator's Stew
art and Jones OF Nevada and Judge
Dick Mesick occurred I'm the hotel NJ
the same time there was sure To be no,
work. 1t happened upon one OF these
occasions that certain Mr.. Hail from
Boston was at the hotel.
Mr. Hall was a smooth and afTable
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
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.. Hall put
In an appearance. Mr.. Sharon 1T once
introduced Mr.. Hall to his friends and
invited the party 10 dinner. which was
served in Senator Sharon's room.
After dinner Mesick proposed a lit
tie game Of draw" No one said nav
though Mr.. Hall difhdeutIy remarke,
that they did not play much in Boston
where he came from. but that still h,
was wiling to stand in and do hi.
best.
Look out for Hail." remarked Shar
on Il never heard n man make thai
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 sucl
veterans as Mesick. Jones and Stewart
the pot was not allowed TO get cold fol
lack Of chipping. The men played Will
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 Hall.
deals Mr.. Stewart hoped in with Q
| 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 Il
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 a few
more raises and then retired. leaving
abe fight 70 Sharon and Hall. There
was by this time $4,000 In the pot.
! I'll raise you $4,000. Mr.. Hail.
said Sharon. his thin lips set and his
voice low and determined.
/ Halls answer was 10 ring the bell
and when the waiter appeared he ask
ed him for 4 blank California bank
check
Il presume. gentlemen. my check is
as good as cash." he said politely.
Certainly. sir" replied Senator Shar
1 on. You see our checks in the pot
already"
Slowly and deliberately Hall filed
out the check. signed it and spread the
blotter over It without a tremor. Then
he pushed 1t quietly to the center Of the
table and said:
Il have seen your $4,000, senator
and so you $4,000 better"
Sharon looked at him steadily fol
some moments. Halls composure wa:
perfect. There was half smile OF
confidence on his face. but no indica
ton Of boastfulness or excitement
Mr.. Hall" said Sharon, Il feel sure
you hold the better hand. and l 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, Il will give
you 500 If you will show me your
hand"
Senator sharon" replied the Bos-
| tonian. 1t is not enough. Nor would
1 show it to you now for $1,000 Still
TO satisfy your curiosity. l will put
this hand in an envelope, seal il up in
your presence and put ii in the hotel
safe, 10 be called for by you ten days
hence. but upon this condition: That
you will put $3.50 in an envelope. to 20
into the hotel safe and to be delivered
| to me nine days hence"
Sharon reelected for n few minutes
1t was 4 struggle between curiosity
and coin. Finally curiosity conquered
and both envelopes were sealed and in
! trusted 10 the custody of the clerk
When the ten days elapsed. Mr.. Shar
on called for his package and exam
ined the hand-nOthing but a pair OF
deuceS and ten high. He had been the
| victim of a colossal bluff
Ancient Posters.
1t is probably the general impression
| that posters and handbillS are modern
/ inventions. but it has been discovered
that the ancient Romans practiced this