The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-12-28
A Straight Flush.

AAMIll AANaNAAWg US 49, ~ --sst+t"@l W.
playing cards with several men. A
woman on the train warned him by
look that they we're sharpers. Her
warning was unheeded-indeed, resent
cd.
When the officer was a thousand dol
lars ahead he looked back at the wo-
man and smiled superciliously. She
answered by shaking her head. He
was still holding his own when he
looked again. She was sleeping. or pre-
tending to. Then OF a sudden luck
changed. The professional gambler
does not always have to resort TO trick
cry. The tickle goddess "a apt to smile
on him as on the novice. There was
square deal Of cards in which three of
the four got good hands. and the ,bet-
ting was lively. The major held four
tens and kept boosting the pot until
his winnings were at stake. Then he
called to find four queens out against
him. One more hand cleaned him out
TO his last dollar, and he rose up to
give place TO some one else. lie look.
ed at the woman, and there was
smile Of pity on her face. II angered
him. He Clipped with government
greenbacks. He won and he lost.
For two hours the major made three
losses to one winning Two Of the
others also lost Luck favored only
one man. Whenever during these two
hours the officer looked at the woman
she was either mapping or looking out
Of the window. she did not try to
catch bis eye again. She gave him no
attention when he finally rose up and
returned TO his old seat. He hadn't
So left in his pocket he had used up
over $4,000 of government money. He
sat stfffy In his seat, staring straight
ahead of him, wondering how he should
die. He was not the man to turn cur
and run away. All his friends COM
bined could not raise that amount of
money offhand. lie had lived under
army regulations as an officer and
gentleman, and he would die that way.
1t was to be suicide pure ana simple,
either before reaching Cheyenne or d.
rectIy afterward. The major didn't
shrink from the idea. He was trying
to plan the time and place. As he
was busy with these thoughts the wo-
man rose up and passed down the car
to the gang he had played with. The
three men were not playing at that
moment.
"Jim, how much have you wonT
asked the woman Of the lucky man.
About $1,000"
I'D Iikefo play a hand with you
just the two Of u.s."
The three men looked at her in sur
prise, and a number Of passengers
gathered around.
II mean it, insisted the woman as
she produced money and drafts. Wen
cut for deal and have a showdown.
The biggest hand takes the stakes"
.sThat isn't regular. Besides, I'm
playing in great luck today and would
be sure to beat you"
Then you will be welcome to my
money. Don't be f1unker."
"what are the stakes 10 beP
"Six thousa nd dollars"
"Whewr" whistled three or four men
In chorus. 1t was big sum Of money
to be lost or won on showdown. 1t
staggered even the professionals.
"If you will agree that we may dis
card and draw after the deal I'll go
you," said Jim after taking moment
to think and wondering II bis luck
would stand by him.
'.An right.
The woman sat down, the cards were
cut. and Jim got the deal. With SO
many eyes watching him he dared not
attempt any tricks. The woman said
her 1--WE cards would do, and the gam
bier held up two aces and drew three
more cards. When he saw that he had
drawn two more aces he felt sorry for
the woman.
1--WE agreed on showdown, but
should like to bet on this hand" he
observed.
swell, let's call the agreement off,"
replied the woman. What's your |
bet?. 8s
aOnIy Eve hundred to begin with"
"pll see 1t and raise you five hun
dred.n
In less than ten minutes there was
$40, 600 III the pot. Jim Ind put up his
last dollar and had to call. He laid |
down his four aces with a bland smile.
"a straight flush. queen high said |
the woman as she began to gather up |
the money.
The major had neither beard nor |
seen. His face was turned toward the
window, but he might as well have
been blind for all he saw. He was /
thinking Of the penalty. BY and BY
a hand was laid on his shoulder and
package Of money was laid on his
knee. and the woman quietly said:
aJim Daily wants you to take this
back. He let you play just to win
your money and show you that you
were not Ia the game. Jim used 70 DC
4 soldier, and he wouldn't beat Uncle
SAM"
.sDe you mean itY asked the major
as be came to life again.
"0f course do. and II there is any
thing over what you lost you may DO
nate It to the hospital at Cheyenne"
"And-and they cheated meT
aTwenty different times. That's
their business. You thought you could
play poker: but. you see, you don't know
ehucks about the game. Lucky Tor
YOU that Jim used to be soldier"
.And let me 20 aud thank him" said
tho ,uefor as he rose I'D.