The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-04-25


very wen. He merely grinned ana re-
marked. a.,
'Oh. I don't know Sometimes the
suckers is them who lays V'iio- 80,
reck'nin' as how they knows II al. az
has Twin comm I'm other sgchets-
1 heerd Jabe Gallatin was comm va
the river I'm Memphis next Weeh.
This unexpected reference 70 O.le ~
the most famous short card payers Oh
tts -. .-rssted a sudden sensation
i'm the little bsrroom. and there was
chorus of explanations. some OF Wiz
were tinged with profanity. CIu s,lSl-
Greenhut dropped his feet 10 tne IlVo-
with a Sand stared for a nun Hilii-
ute at the speaker before saylne'
7 reckon faint likely I ne eet d
fur as Arkansas CITY, an u .i0
he amt liable for TO stop over, -,
Mr. Jabe Galiatin was the man " lio
vears before had executed mastery
stroke of business with mafhsu a.
Nv doing this he had avenged hllllseH
for his previous losses and had a.
auired the bulk Of the floating CAPITA
of Arkansas City at the same tliile'
and had succeeded in getting away "a
scathed before the fact was discoNeIsu
that the cards were marked IN new
and ingenious fashion. The luea ,lie-t
he might be foolhardy enough 70 Eet e'Il5
to the town had never been enter Idlileu
BY old man Greenhut and his irleiiu9'
and even now it seemed absurd
But Mr.. owen Pepper said; On
don't know. heerd him say he was
p'posin' to try out all the games ne q
find along the river. bein' as he lowed
he plays A heap better poker now nor
he useter MOre'n that, his looks Is
changed cOnsid' able I'm what they was
an he amt reck' on nobody know
in who he is"
well" said Jim Blaisden with
vicious emphasis, "mebbe its good
him if he's learned sOnepin' more aDuut
poker nor he knowed when he was mere
afore. There's others has been I'M
prcvin' some. But I reckon some on
US II be liable for to reco'nize MIN Il
he sh'd RELY show up again.
"Oh, don't know" began Mr.. owen
Pepper. Last time 1 seen
At this particular moment the door
Of the saloon opened and a pOTtly MID
dle-aged gentleman of impressive ap-
pesrance entered and looked ground IN
a friendly way. At sight OF him Mr.
Pepper ceased speaking, and whatever
interest the others may have felt III
what he might have been about 10 say
was instantly dispelled when the new
conner said with a courteous wave OF
his hand:
Lets liquor"
His hearty hospitality was evident in
mis- manner. and those in the saloon
were far from being inclined to ignore
it. Old man GreenhUt stepped prompt
~ to his place behind the bar, and the
others ranged themselves in front Of
il with equal alacrity. No great for
malty was deemed essential to the SIM
pie rite which was about to be oh
served, but the pOrtly gentleman was
evidently of a somewhat ceremOnious
disposition. and as he raised his glass
TO drink he said:
Permit me. gentlemen to introduce
myself. I'm a planter from the St.
Francis valley of the name Of Peter
Skaggs. and as a traveller for pleasure
down the river I have desire TO make
as many acquaintance as possible
among the citizens Of the places where
I stop.
Finding from the captain Of the boat
that I have some two hours TO remain
i'm Arkansas City. it occurred to me that
might improve the time in meeting
some Of the people here, and perhaps
learning something of the industries Of
the place, or perhaps of their pas
times
Proud to meet you, Mr.. Skaggs,"
said old man Greenhut, most gracious
ly. and they all drank.
Then he introduced the stranger TO
Joe Bassett the sheriff Of the county:
Jake Winterbottom, Sam Pearsall. Jim
BlaiSdcll and Pete Kenney. all OF whom
were present. Whether by accident or
design he did not mention Mr.. Pepper.
who, on his part, shrank back as if
rather DrefeTring to remain unnoticed.
though he did not avoid his part in the
hi h IL 4
appear to notice the omission
4 reckon" said old man Greenhut,
as he set I'D another round of drinks.
after little general conversation. as
how the industries Of Arkansas City is
some like the other towns along the
river. on'y f'r one thing what puts US
up top.
Likely the most superior draw poker
is played right here Of any into the hull
Mississippi valley, an some O. these
here gentlemen is reckoned the leadin'
artists in the p'fessiOn. 'Tain't no game
fr sucker to get into, but a gentle
man O means. like you is. mought en-
JOY settin' in fr a hour or so. befn' as
you're traveln' fr pleasure.
The suggestion met with Mr. Skaggs'
approval, and table stakes game with
Bassett, Blaisdell and Winterbottou
was soon arranged. the others declaring
that they did not care to play.
Each man put up a hundred for cbins
at the start. and Blaisdell and Winter
bottom set the pace for rapid high pIav
at the very beginning Of the game. 81
that the ante was s. and a raise of 90
OF even $50 was an ordinary happening
Mr.. Skaggs proved himself bv M
means ayerse 10 this sort Of DIsy ana
cheerfully bought twice in the Gr~t
quarter Of an hour. Then 2 ria,- l.,
which he Joined for one round then
dropping. was big enough 10 drive
Bassett 70 the boneyard. and anofbo~
IN which WinterbottOm scooped large
pot made both Blaisde1 and rssg[,.
buy again In this way il baunere5
That before the hour was I'd there was
some $500 OF the table. OF which NJ
Skaggs had contributed $500
The time being limited. IL seemed al
together desirable TO force him fo ~
again. and accordingly BIaisdeJI v-6er
u came mis- turn 10 deal. gave him =
fuii house pat beng careful to 7,ro-
vide NinterbOttOm with four sevans
It was Bassett's ante and U-frte--
bottom came in, Of course. Slrsgog
sitting next raised il go and RIafs7eri
made il so more. Bassett studied =
moment and then came in. 7yherouno-,
Skaggs boosted him 300 Ies,-fre- eefIi
about hundred in front Of him
BlaisdeE trailsd. but Bassett drama
Out and Winterbottom said. ct reckon