The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-08

instance, however, was an exception-a
very decided exception. 1t proved-to the
rule Hickman raised me s100. On a
signal from me, Green dropped out BY
the time 1t was again my bet there was
about $1,000 in the pot.
" How many cards.? asked Green.
" I've enough said Hickman.
" I'll play mine as they are answered
Brashier.
" Mine can't be bettered came from
Hall; and from his tone 1 knew that he
had hand that would make everything
he owned mine il 1 played my cards
right.
''I showed 500 into the pot. Hickman
raised me $500, and as quick as wink
Brashier topped it with $1,000. Remarking
that he wanted to buy house, Hall made
good and lifted the pot $1,000 more.
Naturally / got worked up. Either
three terribly big hands were out against
me, or somebody was doing lot OF bluff
ing that they would be mighty sorry for
afterwards. With visions of running a
line of iatboats all my own, / made good
and hoisted the pot $1,000 more. The come
back from those fellows made me feel
good all over, it was so strong; and when
the betting again reached me l found my
self shy $500. Table stakes were not
a fellow had under such circumstances
was to declare his pile and demand a
show for his money. But with a hand
like mine there was nothing of that sort
to be dreamed Of So / borrowed from
Green and raised the pot $1,000. This was
getting out of Halls depth, so he de-
clared and asked for a show.
I think I'll buy my house on royal
flush he laughed, spreading out the ten,
jack, queen, king and ace of diamonds.
g 1T seems good for a split / admitted
ruefully, displaying my hearts.
Hickman showed a royal flush of
spades, with the intimation that thirds
seemed the more appropriate division CT
the pot.
The very devils In thisr Brashier
exclaimed. his face growing white. He
laid out five clubs running consecutively
from the ten to the ace.
For full minute we sat staring in
speeches. amazement at the cards on the
table. Four royal Pushes were out on
one deal, and without a draw. The CO.
incidence gave us the creeps, 1t was so
uncanny But there was no question as
to the fairness of the deal, and, by the
rule of the house, the pot went four
ways.
Ibid we go on playing? Well, should
say not! The gambler never lived who
was not too supersttious to sit in a game
where thing of that kind had hap
pened Brashier had the table taken
down to the yard and split into kindling
wood, and closed the house for the rest of
the night.
For long time afterwards Green was
regarded as a sort OF hoodoo, and there
were a lot of players who would sooner
have sat in game with the Old Boy
himself than with him..
One night young man of Lawrence
burg-the son of a mlnister-pitted himself
against two of the most skilled and un-
scrupulous habitues Of Wesley Hickman's
place. He was plentifully supplied with
money, but despite the fact that he show
ed himself no novice at poker, the opera
lions of his opponents were speedily di-
minishing his resources, when Hickman
Interrupted the game and exposed the
crooked dealing of the sharks. In the
melee that followed Hickman sustained
a wound which caused his reath a few
hours later.
This tragedy so aroused public senti-
ment against the row that 1t was closed
for a time, John Hickman and Brashier
returning to the river until the affair was
In a measure forgotten. In the autumn
of 1850 Brashier returned to Lawrence
burg and reopened his gambling estab-
lishment. He was followed soon after
ward by John Hickman, who brought