The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-02-13

chance of making a flush in order to
draw 70 a measly palr.'
"Mr. Goliath gave a howl at Tbs
presumption and raised a spear. But
Tib was mad clear through, and shak
ing his dimpled fist in the others face
he pointed accusingly at the lone pair
and then quickly showed him from the
discard how he would have made a
heart flush if he'd been bright And
you call that poker, you old pirate!'
hissed Tib. swapping his fingers be-
meath his disgruntled masters long
nose.
Il firmly believed the irate gamester
was about to sacrifice the old fellow
right then and there with very little
ceremony; but-Lord bless you, sir,
he knew he had played rotten poker;
and dropping his spear he began to
talk deep down in his throat and make
exonerating gestures. But Tib was OBJ.
durate, and, cycling him scornfully,
tapped the damnatory pair of spots
before his sullen face, while he in
formed him he couldn't play humble
peg with blind man. l tell you, sir,
his rage was sublime. 1t heartened me
wonderfully, and l began to think that
life among the lowly wasn't so tough,
after all.
Then he caused my heart to leave
its accustomed place and to wander up
into my throat by giving the chief a
shove with his boot and motioning
him to quit the rug. The chief
scowled and said something which I
am sure wouldn't look well if printed
in his home paper, and hesitated be.
tween leaving the game and scalping
Tib. But my patron was fully alive
now and confident. Steal away, you
imbecile, he ordered, fiercely, and the
voter from Gath, probably realizing
that he would lose all to his guest if
he continued playing, rolled off the rug
with grunt of rage.
81 didn't know you gambled, Tib?
l gasped
THE dear old chaps face actually
blushed as he met my limpid gaze, and
he defended: Never have since l was
very young. Don't think I'm backslid-
ing, Billy. | hate to do it, but it's the
only show We have. But mind you, my
lad, when once we're safely back at
the Suet Pudding club, don't you dare
to tell the gang have been cutting up
here in these snowy wastes. | feel
ashamed, as I've always tried to keep
you from it, but l can't bear to see
even game of chance abused
THE idea of his apologizing to me
for trying to save our two hides
Play for all you are worth, Tib, l
begged. Don't hesitate to hocus-pocus.
If you see card you banker for, no
matter where in the deck it is en-
sconced, just pluck it out for my
sake
I'D rather win fair, Billy he re-
monstrated. I wouldn't cheat to save
myself but l may if it will pull you
on this side of the table
Don't hesitate l implored, for /
knew he could do more parlor-magic
ais. My giant has been palming
cards right along. He took the last
trick with jiu-iitsu hold
WHAT gasped Tib. Cant even
play a gentleman's camel And he
rift1ed the pasteboards in manner
that caused his owner to pat himself
and eject few gutturals of admira.
tion. Probably the arctic circle never
before saw such grace as was con-
tanned in Tbs famous Chinese rifle.
Then we met with an obstacle that
seemed insurmountable. Tib had no
chips. His host had lost everything
but his personal weapons and his dogs.
Tib motioned for the latter, but Coli
ath slipped his face into a frown and
shook his head. Tib insisted and in
seductive pantomime represented all
of the bow-wows in the ford as ulti.
mately crossing the rug to the home
side. My owner then clipped in and
expressed a willingness to put up his
CANNES in turn. | think he was bit
afraid of Tib but he was ap inVeS-
crate gambler and evidently believed
the luck was with him. Reluctantly
Tbs owner gave way, and it was
agreed between the chiefs, and in sign
language ON Tbs part, that one big
dog was equal to five pups, and that
five dogs should be the limit. With
this understanding they began to draw
cards.
They made me move to one side so
that l could not read my boss hand, |
and then Tib let the first pot go with
out making a bet, thereby losing his
ante Of two puppies. My master
smiled hideously and the other mono
lith gave howl of anger and held his
spear against Tbs neck.
~ guess Id better take the next
pot remarked Tib, as he picked up
the cards and passed them to his op-
ponent to deal
in doing this he displayed for few
seconds three greasy kings near the
top OF the deck.
"Oh, why weren't you more care.
full? | groaned. He's palmed them!
He thinks he has grinned Tib,
looking up at me In his old care.free
way. and winking one brown eye
slowly.
MY man skillfully got rid Of his |
extra cards and without looking at his |
hand bet pup Tib calmly pushed |
over dog. drew down FIVE babies In
change and went him two little ones
better. The chief. confident of win.
ming, smiled grimly and seemed to |
hesitate. and then. as a coaxer, raised
n Ia