The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-03-25
The Story of the Last Deal In a
Lively Game of Poker.
4 FORTUNE ON THE TABLE.
The Hand That Won the Rich Stakes
and the Man Who Held lt-What
Senator Sharon Had to Pay to Sat-
isfy His Lingering Curiosity.

the players who participated therein.
The following story of n Of those
games was printed in q 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 Nevada and Judge
Dick Mesick occurred in the hotel at
the same time there was sure to be hot
work. 1t happened upon n of these
occasions that a certain MI. Hall from
Boston was at the hotel.
Mr.. 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 a halt.
Byron was Sharon's favorite bard. He
had made his works his life's study,
and any one who appreciated him had
a call on the senator's friendship.
On a certain evening the three sena-
tors and Judge Mesick met in the hotel
lobby. 1t was just before dinner, and
while they were chatting Mr.. Hall put
In an appearance. Mr.. Sharon at 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 a lit
tie game of draw" No n said nay,
though Mr.. Hall difidently 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. II never heard a 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 q dollar ante vas 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 so. Mr.. Hall was
cautious and dribbled away his checks
with Indifference. After one Of Halls
deals Mr.. Stewart hoped in with a
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. All drew-Hall one Garland
then the fun began. Round and round
again went the def Stewart and
Jones dropped out. Mesick stood a few
more raises and then retired. leaving
the fight to Sharon and Hall. There
was by this time $4,000 in the pot.
"Il 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 n blank California bank
check.
: Il presume. gentlemen. my check ii
as good as cash." he said politely.
"Certainly. sir" replied Senator Shar
on. "You see our checks in the po
already"
Slowly and deliberately Hall flle<
out the check, signed 1t and spread th'
r blotter over 1t without a tremor. Thel
he pushed it quietly to the center Of tn
I table and said:
1 II have seen your $4,000. senator
S and go you $4,000 better"
Sharon looked at him steadily 70
e some moments. Halls composure wa
o perfect. There was a half smile Q
confidence on his face. but no indica
$ ton Of bo%astfulness or excitement.
mfr. Hail. said Sharon, II feel sur
you hold the better hand, and I do no
e care to waste my money. The pot l
yours. sir"
Without any appearance of exulta
S ton Hall raked in the coin, bills an
checks. separated them and put ther
d in his pockets. Meanwhile his han
II lay face down upon the table.
"Mr. Hail." said Sharon, Il will Civ
$ YOU 800 If O will show me you
e hand"
J. Senator Sharon" replied the Bos
tonian, 1T is not enough. Nor woul
I show it to you TO- for $1,000. Still
l ~ CuNASAS NpuA AoSA W." ~
II this hand in an envelope. seal 1t up !
l. your presence and put it in the hott
safe, to be called for by you ten day
n hence. but upon this condition: THIS
1t you will put $3.50 in an envelope, to &
into the hotel safe and to be delivere
to me nine days hence"
NJ Sharon reflected for a few minute
It was a struggle between curiosit
t. and coin. Finally curiosity conQuere'
e and both envelopes were sealed and II
o. trusted to the custody Of the clerl
When the ten days elapsed. Mr.. Sha
N on called for his package and exar
N ined the hand-nothing but a pair
deuces and ten high. He had been tt
- victim of a colossal blu6.
IL To Begin With.
=. "Now. my children, what Is an abs
g., lNfo necessity for family OraYerSV"