The sun., 1908-06-21

The stranger laughed.
That isn't what was thinking Of he
said. Il meant birds, or bears, or some
ss parSSr d coenr Sl % ior nHs ay 50 cid M ns nsa
40 it's sport. What do you play In the back
roorn2"
Poker" said old man Greenhut.
Il thought likely said the stranger.
Poker is good enough for those that like It,
but up North we play bridge now, almost
asay. exclaimed old man oreenhut. is
We'll they call me that sometimes
,.We uns is heer'd o. you, then said the
old man, "an' we BEN kind o. lootin' for ye.
Tn amt nobody here as plays draw bridge,
but we ben told YOU ON play poker some,
an the boys was thinkin' mebbe they o'd
well, have played It.. admitted the
stranger, and II there's nothing else to do
l don't mind taking hand"
The game was made up promptly, Winter.
bottom. Blaisdel, Bassett and Pearsan
each man took hundred In chips.
After the old man had sold them their
stacks and put two decks OF cards on ths
table he turned to leave the room. but the
stranger said. Hold oni Are those good.
strong cards?" And he looked at the decks
doubtfully.
"D'pends some on the DEAL said old man
0reenhut. puzzled by the question: Some
on 'em is stronger n others, nat rally
THAT isn't what / meant said the
stranger. These look like they'd tear
easily"
And he tore, the wrappers of and ran
over the two decks hastily. Then putting
them together, he tore all the cards in half
with quick motion. and picking up each
half In turn. tore them In two in the same
fashion.
The trick was a new one to them all, and
they stared in amazement. One and an.
other picked up some OF the pieces and
tried them but finding them Of the usual
texture they shook their heads and said
nothing. Neither did the stranger offer
hut went out and got two more decks.
One was opened. and they out for the
deal, the stranger cutting last. Pearsall
had cut trey, which was the lowest when
1t came the strangers turn.
sBst you one TO three beat you he
said, and Pearsall pushed three chips for
ward without q word.
The stranger put up his one. and was
about to cut when Blaisdell said;
Want any more Of that2"
Go as far as you like said the stranger.
covering them With two.
Then Bassett pushed nine forward. and
the stranger covered them, and looked at
Winterbottom lnquiringly. AS that gentle
man made no move be cut the cards, show
ing deuce.
He had won against long odds. but no one
thought anything. Of that And when he
dealt they picked up their cards with no
suspicion OF a coming shock,
As they skinned down their hands. how
ever. the stranger noticed, out OF the tail
little Interested.
Bassett had anted. and everybody came
In up 10 the dealer. He passed, and picked
up the deck to serve the draw.
.Thess'Il do me-" said Bassett. but with
Then Pearsall said he. reckoned he
wouldn't take none. and Blaisdell said he
was content, and Jake Winterbottom said
he reckoned he'd worry along And they
looked at the stranger with more than a
any particular object in betting them. was
LUCKY 1 didn't come in said the
stranger. my little four Of a kind wouldn't
have been good, l reckon"
= They looked In amazement
sYou don't believe had EN- he said.
with smile. And he turned his hand over.
1t was four mines with an eight.
Blaisdell stared. Pearsall laughed. Bas-
sett swore and reached for his gun, but
Winterbottom was the only onewho seemed
II reckon Pepper was nigh about right
he said. "We ms hain't no call to play
poker with you" And he threw down his
royal flush. face up. Then the other three
showed that they each had the same hand
In different suit.
well, you see now why I don't play
poker to win said the stranger. II don't
like to rob people. By the way. Mr. Bassett
you II find your gun under your chair.
was a little afraid 1t might go OF In your
pock ct And Bassett found 1t on the
floor.
II reckon there amt no Use In sayin'
nothin'. Mr.. Yarvard,' said old man Green
hut. who had come back into the room to
look on. Looks like you was a leetle
bettern anythin we uns ever seen at the
poker table, but II you was to take notion
to settle in Arkansas CITY. / sh'd say you'd
be valuable citizen. We kind O. need you
here. 'thouten you m the devil himself
"Not quite that" said the stranger, laugh
ing, but I've taken some lessons in sleight
Of hand. It's better game than pok er
II you know how 60 play It."
Sounds blasphemious. but mebbe you're
right" said the old man. and the stranger
set EN- up for the rest of the night refusing
to cash in the chips he had won. and proving
himself a Jolly good fellow.
kind O. glad he's gone,' said old man
Greenhut when they saw him take the boat
the next morning. -He pears to be some
OF gentleman but he aln't no earthly use
to we uns.'