The sun., 1908-04-26

The amendment replaced the motion,
and Winterbottom and Blalsdell were So
lected as a COMMITTEES 10 invite tho Rev. Mr..
Stoughton 10 attend a private and conf
dental session Cf the 0reenhut Poker Club.
Accordingly the clerical victim 10 be was
escorted by the committee into Green
hut'B back room, by the rear door, after the
old man had ostensibly closed his saloon
for the night and no fights we're showing
from the front
He declined the customary preliminary
out Of old man Greenhut's bottle, saying,
i sure have drinked oonsid able In my
time, but seen the error o. my ways an
quit a spell ago As the Scripter says,
Wine 10 knooker, an strong liquor's en-
ragin'' When l play poker I'd rather Keep
my head clear
Whatever contempt the others may
have felt for a man likely to feel the ELECTS
Of single drink, there was no one there
who desired TO provoke untlmely contro-
Yersy, and they took their liquor in silence,
Then the old man put the cards and chips
on the table and sat down, a little way back,
to look on at the game.
II was Ave handed, the newcomer being
pitted against the most reliable form play
ers on the lower Mississippi, and inasmuoh
as he could not be supposed TO be ignorant
OF their prowess, even his antagonists were
compelled to admire his courage, II, how
ever, the redoubtable four--Jake Winter
bottom, Jim Bllisdell, Joe Bassett and Sam
Pearsall-were perturbed in any degree by
the Rev Mr. Stoughtons confidence. they
showed no sign OF Il.
Possibly the fact that the balance OF
power, as represented by old man Green
hut's bungstarter was readily available
may have steaded them some II was
grown mans game.
'Do you play table stakes or outdoorsl'
the outsider asked as they sat down, and
they assured him that the roof would be re-
moved II II got in his way, 30 each player
took 500 in chips, merely for change. no
man declaring his resevs.
Nevertheless there was no undue haste
In the opening II might have been a
fencing match, judging from the delibera-
tion with which they seemed to be studying
one another's play. Neither was there
oyermuch speech. most OF the talking being
done with chips.
After several pots had been taken down
by one and another player without a call
u came B1ssett's deal and jack pot was
made. no bne coming In against Blaisdells
ante. Il was S. a corner. and when on
Blais1ell's deal the Rev. Mr.. StOughton
passed blind, Winterbottom, having next
say, opened for t25. the size OF IT,
Pearsall came in and Bassett dropped,
Blaisdell trailed and the Rev. Mr.. Stoughton,
after looking at his hand. pushed all his
chips forward
Winterbottom put his money up I'M
hesltatingly, but without raising again.
Then Pearsall studied a while, but finally
threw down his cards and Baisdell trailed,
so there could he no more play before the
draw. The Rev. Mr. Stoughton stood
pat and winterbottom hesitated long.
m l. = srtrT fWwn
and took them Blaisdel took two.
The opener threw in a white chip. having
few odd ones left from previous winnings,
and Blalsdell trailed neither OF them looking
at his draw. IL was therefore undoubtedly
sound play for the Rev Mr. Stoughton to
fish hundred dollar bill out Of his vest
pocket and lay il on top Of the chips, which
he promptly did.
Winterbottom lifted his hand and laid
il down again. Il pass, he said and they
all looked at Blaisdell He looked steadily
at the Rev. Mr. Stoughton for time, still
without lifting his draw
Finally he said, Il call you and put
up the money whereupon the Rev. Mr..
Stoughton laid his cards on the table face
up smiling goodnaturedly as he did So
He had two pairs, tens up.
When Blaisdell showed three sevens and
took the pot the loser arose, still smiling.
Il reckon that'll be all. he said, and pre-
pared 20 leave the room.
"Well, what do you think o that?' de-
manded Bassett in great indignation. 'Did
you think four North American gentlemep
was goin' 10 set up all night just for TO play
mumbletepeg with you?'
oh | don't know" said the Rev. Mr..
Stoughton. 'Did you think | was goin
to set in here with my hull wad ag'in this
crowd?
Il was feelp' some rusty an reckoned
cd stand il for 10 take a flyer on 500
an double or lose IL just f'r practice, but |
amt playin' tag with no earthquakes.
I'd have as much show here in long settln'
as a hound pup o. the wilderness on the
outsquirts o. hell, an l know il 8 we'll s
you uns does.
Il don't mind a couple o. hundred. bein'
as it's easy money, hut you don't get the
wad. Savey7'
no Whence on the premises said old
man 0reenhut hastily, as he saw Bassett
getting redheaded. 'You was speakin'
o. tar an feathers, but what's the use9
He hain't got the wad here
As the others seemed 10 see humor in the
situation they sided with Greenhut, and the
fourhusher, as Bassctt bitterly called him.
was allowed 10 depart unmoested.
All the same. said old man Greenhut
after he Ind gone, there's got 20 be ways
considered for keepin' him I'm carryin'
all that capital outen the c'mmunity. |
don't just see now how TO do II, but it's
got TO be did