Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-07-29
GOODNESS AND NERVE NERVE
The Story Of the Last Deal In a
Lively Game Of Poker.
A FORTUNE ON THE TABLE.

The Hand That Won the Rich Stake.
: and the Man Who Held lt-What
Senator Sharon Had to Pay to Sat-
isfy His Lingering Curiosity.
There were many lively ynmes of
poker played in San Francisco iii. the
old days. and many good st5riess lave
been told of the nerve and coolness of
the players who participated therein
The following story of one of those
games was printed in 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
enthusiastic lover of the game, and
when it happened that Senators Stew.
art and Jones Of Nevadu and Judge
Dick Mesick occurred" in the hotel at
the same time there was sure to lie hot
work. 1t happened upon one of these
occasions that u certain Mr.. Hail from
Boston was at the hotel.
Mfr. Hall was a smooth and affable
gentleman and completely won. Sena.
tor 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 favorite bard. He
had mnde his works his life's study.
and any one who appreciated him had
call on the senator's friendship.
On Il 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. Mr.. Sharon ut once
introduced Mr.. Hall to his friends and
invited the party to dinner, which was
served In Senator Sharon's room.
After dinner Mesick proposed u lit
tie game OF draw" No one said nay,
though Mr.. Hall ditfidently remarked
that they did not play much in Boston.
where he came from. but that still he
was willing to stand in, aud do his
best
Look out for Hail." remarked Shar.
az. never heard n man isnake that
remark yet who was not t0;n watch,
ed" He spoke In Jest. but hiS Words
were sooth.
The cards were produced and the
game at dollar ante was lnaugurated.
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 drlbbled away his checks
with indifference. After one OF Halls
dealsisatr. Stewart holi ptsa. I'm with i.
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 1t
for him. AL drew-Hall one eard-and
then the fun began. Round and round
again went the def" Stewart and
Jones dropped out. Meslck stood a few
more raises and then retired, leaving
the fight to Sharon and Hall. There
was by this time $40 1000 In the pot.
'Ill raise you $4,000. Mr.. Hail."
said Sharon. his thin lips set. and his
voice low and determined.
Halls answer was to ring. the bell.
and when the waiter appeared he ask
ed him for blank California. bank
check.
II presume, gentlemen, my check Ii
as good as cash." he said politely.
Certainly, sir" replied Senator Shar-
on. 'You see our checks In the pot
already" !jg
Slowly and deliberately Hail filled
out the check, signed it and spread the
blotter over 1t without tremor. Then
he pushed 1t quietly to the center of the
table and said:
II have seen your $4,000. senator,
and go you $4,000 better"
Sharon looked at him steadily for
some moments. Halls composnre was
perfect. There was half smile of
confidence on his face. but no indica-
tion Of boastfulness or excitement.
"Mr. Hail." said Sharon. Il feel sure
you hold the better hand, and do not
care to waste my money. tfhe pot is
yours, SIR"
Without any appearance of exulta
tion Hall raked In the coin. bills and
checks. separated them and put them
in his pockets. Meanwhile his hand
lay face down upon the table.
''Mr. Hail." said Sharon, II will give
you 800 II you will show ME your
hand"
Senator Sharon" replied the Bos-
tonian, at is not enough. Nor would
show 1t to you now for 81. 900. Still.
to satisfy your curiosity. Viii put
this hand in an envelope. seal 1t UP In
your presence and put 1t In the hotel
safe. to be called for by you ten days
hence, but upon this condition: That
you will put $3.50 in an envelope, to 80
into the hotel safe and to be eldeliyered
to me nine days hence" AYt'ff2ls
Sharon reflected for feYMlnutes.
1t was struggle between, curiosity
and coin. Finally curiosity conquered,
and both envelopes were seaiedJand In
trusted to the custody OF the clerk.
When the ten days elapseds Mr.. Shar-
OH called for his package and exam
ined the hand-nothing hut afpair of
deuces and ten high. He had been the
victim of a colossal bluff.
Hook Swinging In Bengal.