The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1908-06-11
GOODNESS AND NERVE
The Story OF the Last Deal In a
Lively Game of Poker.
A FORTUNE On THE TABLE.
The Hand That Won the Rich Stakes
and the Man Who Held It-What
Senator Sharon Had to Pay to Sat
isfy His Lingering Curiosity.


Senator Sharon Had to Pay to Sat-
isfy His Lingering Curiosity.
There were many lively games of
poker played In San Francisco In the
old days, and many good stories have
been told of the nerve and GOODNESS of
the players who participated therein.
The following story of one of those
games was printed in a San Francisco
paper some years ago:
The Palace hotel in the early days of
its existence was the arena of some big
poker games. Senator Sharon was an
when 1t happened that Senators Stew
art and Jones of Nevada and Judge
Dick Mesick occurred" In the hotel at
the same time there was sure to be hot
work. 1t happened upon one of these
occasions that a certain Mr. Hall from
Boston was at the hotel
Mr.. Hall WAS a smooth and affab!e
gentleman and completely won Sena
to- Sharon's heart because of his love
for Byron and his excellent memory,
he being able to quote hundreds of
lines of the poets verse without halt
Byron was Sharon's favorlte bard. He
had made his works his life's study.
and any one who appreciated him had
Il call on the senator's friendship.
On certain evening the three sena.
tors and Judge Mesick met In the hotel
lobby. 1t was just before dinner, and
while they We're chatting Mr.. Hall put
In an appearance. MIR, Sharon at once
introduced MIR. Hall to his friends and
invited the party to dinner, which was
served In Senator Sharon's room.
After dinner Mesick proposed lit
tie game Of draw" No one said nay,
though Mr.. Hall diffidently remarked
that they did not play much In Boston.
where he came FROM but that still he
was willing to stand in and do his
best
Look out for Hail." remarked Shar-
on. 81 never heard man make that
remark yet who was not to be watch
ed" He spoke In jest, but his words
| were sooth.
The cards were produced. and the
game at a dollar ante was inaugurated.
There was no limit. Now with such
veterans as Mesick, Jones and Stewart
the pot was not allowed to get cold for
lack of chipping The men played with
varying success, and things ran pretty
even for an hour or 80. Mr.. Hall was
cautious and dribbled away his checks
with Indifference. After one OF Halls
deals Mr.. Stewart hoped In with q
twenty dollar bet Jones, evidently
pleased with his hand. saw him and
went $50 better. Mesick and Sharon
were not afraid and took some Of the
pie themselves. Mr.. Hall. the dealer
scanned his hand carefully and con
cluded that there was something In II
for him. All drew-Hall one card-and
then the fun began. Round and rounf
again went the def" Stewart and
Jones dropped out. Mesick stood few
more raises and then retired, leaving
the fight to Sharon and Hall. There
was by this time $4,000 In the pot
'Ill raise you $4,000, Mr.. Hail.
said Sharon, his thin lips set and hl!
voice low and determined.
Halls answer was to ring the bell
and when the waiter appeared he ask
ed him for a blank California banl
check.
Il presume. gentlemen, my check L
as good as cash." he said politely.
Certainly, sir" replied Senator Shar
on. "You see our checks In the pc
already"
Slowly and deliberately Hall fllet
out the check, signed 1t and spread tn
blotter over 1t without a tremor. Thel
he pushed 1t quietly to the center Of tn
table and said:
: 81 have seen your $4,000, senator
r and go you $4,000 better"
e Sharon looked at him steadily TO
\ some moments. Halls composure wa
perfect There was half smile o
= confidence on his face, but no indica
ton Of boastfulness or excitement
! mfr. Hail." said Sharon, II feel sur
you hold the better hand, and do nc
j care to waste my money. The pot
: yours, SIR"
: Without any appearance of exultz
t ton Hall raked in the coin, bills an
n checks, separated them and put theI
: In his pockets. Meanwhile his han
/. lay face down upon the table
u "Mr. Hail." said Sharon, II will Civ
/ you 500 If you will show me you
e hand"
a Senator Sharon" replied the Boz
e tonian. ut Is not enough. Nor woul
n l show 1t to you now for $1,000 Still
j. to satisfy your curiosity, l will pr
: this hand in an envelope, seal It up
9 your presence and put 1t in the hot
: safe, to be called for by you ten day
% hence. but upon this condition: The
you will put $3.50 in an envelope, to G
into the hotel safe and to be delivere
$. to me nine days hence"
4 Sharon reflected for few m1nute
- 1t was struggle between cur4oett
80 and coin. Finally curiosity conQuere'