The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-17

any player that might come to Arkansas City, whether he had negro's thumb in a bladder or not. Whereupon MT. Pepper said mebbe he mought have chanst bein' as Baker been stoppin' off at some of the river towns.
 It was therefore with mixed emotions that the party heard a few days later that one Baker was staying at the hotel up the leyee and had expressed desire to meet some local talent in a poker game MT. Pepper had gone down the river in the meantime, but there seemed to be no doubt that this Baker was the one he had told about. he answering the description of a "slab-sided lobster with red hair" that MT. Pepper had given. Blaisdell alone seemed unmoved by the intelligence and regarded Winterbottom glum looks with great scorn. When Baker entered the saloon one evening, and after establishing his footing In the ap- i proved fashion, asked if htere was any show for to get Into a game Blaisdell assured him that there was, but he was obliged to add that 1t would have to be two-handed, as he was the only man in the house that cared to play with strangers.
 Well" said Baker, "freezeout suits me as well as round game. I'll go you one for S10o just fir starter, if you like
 You're on." said Blaisdell. "What'n it be? Draw or stud?"
 "I ain't so hell roarin' p'tic'lar, said the stranger, "but don't you reckon stud s some swifter n draw when it's two- handed?"
 They Made 1t Stud.
 Sure is," replied B1aisderl ''S'pose'n we make 1t stud"
 And stud 1t was.
 In the little group that looked on at the game that was started nobody had any confidence in the efficacy of the vou- doc charm when Blaisdell had the deal, as luck was not supposed to be an im- portant factor in the game at such times, but as, according to agreement, each man was to deal till he should win a pot, when the deck passed to the other player, it was thought that there might Nbe some remarkable hands out when Baker dealt if he really had voudoo charm in good working order. Accordingly there was nervous interest in the game among the bystanders.
 Blaisdell dealt first, and in accordance with his usual custom made no display of his skill at the outset, but allowed his antagonist to win several small pots. Then, Judging that the other had gath cred confidence, he riffled the cards some what more carefully and gave Baker king for his first card showing, and dealt himself jack. Baker put up dollar, the betting be- ing as yet rather modest, and Blaisdell l covered it. Then he gave Baker a ten spot and himself another jack, making 1 1t his bet
 He put s5 in the pot and Baker, look l ing again at his buried card, seemed | minded to raise, but after some consid- eration, simply stayed 1 The next cards came ten, seven, giving Baker a pair of tens in sight but leav- ing the bet still with Blaisdell. This ] time the bet was $10, and Baker prompt 1 ly raised it s1o.
 Looks like tol'able long chance" l said Blaisdell, coolly, 'but I reckon I'll risk it." and covered the raise.
 On the final round Baker caught a l Queen and Blaisdell another jack. where upon he threw in a white chip and Baker 1 folded.
 This put the two players about even and the deal passed. The next hand seemed at first to indicate that Baker 8 luck would hold for the 'cards fell to him queen, six and queen showing, against Baisdell's ten. eight and jack. There was about $20 in the pot when 1 aBker betting on his queens, put in s2c | more.
 Showed In His Stack.
 To the surprise of all the others Blais- dell, covered the bet and then showed his stack forward. Only one explanation oi this play by a man of Blaisdell's skill | was possible
 He was beaten in sight and the only hand he could fill was a straight since his cards were of different suits, and the normal chance of making straight wa.