Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-17
Four Jacks and Four Tens
ha,,ut bcttercd. 50. Of course. hn won
30 I'm to Watch Beatty.

There wasn't anything marvellous
about that. either, and bought again.
The mere. fact that the dealer had been
lucky in the draw didn't impress me at
the time. and the hand seemed remark
able ONLY as one OF $ ries that had
just started CT rather unusual con
tests. in which catty was most ire
,Quentiy the winner.
"A little la,sr. though, | saw Billy
Harding looking at the handsome out
siirr with an expression which inter
csted me, and from that on | watched
B. H;ty's play pretty c.osely myself.
I'm bound to admit, though. that |
couldn't see am thing out Of the way In
it. He was certainly finished play
,er, but his winning seS med to re no
mere tan any man might expect with
Il good run OF the carGs.
! And the run was certainly was good
for Beatty. Net only did he win every
time the indications were in his faV-
or, bu. there werH several hands which
he bett ere Il as uIexpo ctedly as &c had
made his full holsc against me.
IF there was any hing crooked
about his play. though l failed to see
it. and lhe only t.ing that Sc med
suspicious to me was Tat he played
Oh as cOoily as he did when lcoula
Sc" that he knew Billy and were both
watching him so cluScly. 1t seemed
20 me that If he had been all right
he must have been ratified ut least,
and would be most likey to stop
playing.
AT length there came hand on
Bea,ty's deal again, in which his luck
seemed to have reached climax. Ii
wasn't jackpot. Id made the usual
ante of 81 call 81 and Harding stay
cd Farley trailzd. and barrow made
it S. to play Newton stay on that,
and so did Beatty.
! THAT brought it back to me. and
as found pat flush queen high
boosted it sos with considerable con-
fidence. seeing that CIV, ryEody was IN
and there'd only been one raise.
1 Harding Came Back A.Jain.
> "Then Harding made it so more,
and again they all stayed up to me, so
gave it another tilt. :nd Harding
cane back again. 1t was too strong
fer Farley and Newton. but barrow
and Beatty both went along. and I
&C ucud d to wait for the draw l"forc
going further.
Nearly cv. r;bcly at the tabl" had
lcen buying before tGat, 80 theNs
was almost $1,000 in sight, and more
than s15 in tho pot, with four play
,crs in for the dew
y Harding and both stood pat and
barrow and Beatty each took two. IL
was HardinS.s bet and he put up you
without winking. showing me that NJ
must be against me, 10 say nothing OF
the other two chances.
I barrow showed mis- pile forward.
I, but as that made only $25 raise. it
gave Beatty chance to raise again,
against Harding and me-. and he put
iup his pile. which must have been
mere than $500 by this time, though
didn't count it,
MY queen flush was waste paper
bv this time, and it went in the dis
card swiftly. but Harding. still watch
ing Beatty suspiciously. called for what
was 5000 and odd. at the same time
showing down an ace full.
barrow showed four tens and LOOK
led for a moment more or less joyous.
but Beatty. without worn. showed
four Jacks and reached for the pot.
though, Harding exclaimed: Hold on.
'thcre!" so sharply that Beatty pausen
|. ami looked up as if astoniSned. Then
} his face grew chastity white and he
looked like a wild beast at bay as
Harding went On.
I've been careful to say to you all.
, gentlemen he said. that l could not
; vouch for this man. though he has
been rs You all know my guest for
week Now can vOuch for him as
! swinaler. That fourth jack which he
drew came from the bottom Of the
tdcck, for I saw It there before the
draw
II You're a liar by the clock said
Beatty. steadily enough. His nerve
was certainly magnificent. And you'll
!. give me satisfaction for this. he con-
; ;inued.
We don't give card sharps salts
facticn.' said Harding with sheer.
; We take it ont Of them, and properly
; speaking We ought 10 throw yOu over
} hoard right sudden. But first I'm 90
! ing to give You the "Srst licking you
ever had for calling me liar And
h sprang 10. his feet
4 Beatty Jumped mp az tn" same In
slant reaching for his hip pocket as
he did so. bot Newton. who sat on
his right. WIS Quicker than he was
and seized his gun before he could
draw II so nc faced Harding unarm-
led but. 7 must saw. fcar,sssiy.
Some Of tic rest Of us were Tor
stopping the fight hU; Harding shout
cd The man Who :nterfer"s IS no
friend of mine. Wen. settle this thing
row. sud as We were ell on his boat
We stood b,ck.
! ON dsck' sad Harding as b"
Threw off his coat. and wc all went