Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1909-02-08
Dead Man S Hand.

copyright. 1909. by American Press Asso- |
ciation.l
Old Mississippi has seen great
changes For ages she knew only the
red men hunting on her banks or dart
ing hither and thither in their canoes,
leaving streaks of light on her broad
bosom. She saw De Soto come, an
apparition from another world. Later
the flatboat, the sun glittering on its
water dripping sweeps, marked the
approach of civilization. The steamer
followed the fatboat an era that
marked the old rivers greatest glory,
a glory OF which she was robbed by
the railroad built on her banks.
In the middle Of the last century
what was then regarded a floating pal
ace stopped at Memphis, took on pas
sengers and proceeded on her way
down toward New Orleans. Among
those who came aboard at Memphis
was Arthur Davidson, the son Of a
widow living on her plantation near
that city. Her husband had been a
spendthrift and had mortgaged his
plantation From the day Of his death
fol, ten years Mrs. Davidson struggled
and saved, scraping together every
loose coin that came in her way to
pay Off this mortgage and leave her
plantation to her children free from
debt These were two girls and two
boys. The eldest boy, Arthur was
twcnty-one. the youngest boy eleven.
The widow determined to send Arthur
to New Orleans, where the money had
been borrowed to pay it off and to en-
ter upon business life. Her property
was to be reserved for her minor chill
dren.
At that time, when the long table in
the cabin was not set for meals, a
number of groups were scattered
about playing various games Of cards.
Arthur Davidson stood over one of
these tables looking on. 1t was not
only Arthur that listened to the fasci-
mating click Of gold pieces (for our in
dividuality is merged into that Of our
parents and our children; 1t was both
he and his weak father. He sat down
and Joined In the game.
He had IN his pocketbook money for
his travelling expenses. The $4,000
with which to pay off the mortgage
was in a money belt about his waist.
Arthur Davidson soon lost his expense
money, rose from the table and walk
ed out on the guards. struggling the
while against temptation to go back
and redeem his loss by risklng the
money intrusted to his care. The I'M
age Of his mother came up before him
terror stricken, pleading. He saw his
younger brother and sisters ruined at
an age when they could not at that
day hope to provide for themselves.
But the temptation was too strong for
him. Feverishly he unbuckled his belt
and, taking out number Of $500 bills,
placed them unfolded in his pocket
book. Then he returned to the cabin
and resumed his place at the table.
While there were gambler sharks OF
the Mississippi. there were many
games made up Of planters, COW mer
and others in legitimate occupations
The game In which Arthur Davidson
was playing was fair but be was reck-
less doing an lnordinate amount Of
bluning, and he lost steadily. The
more his mothers savings diminished
the more reckless be became. The
game continued far into the night ano
tovard the small hours OF the morning
he had parted with more than one-hail
> he had taken from his belt.
II was about o'clock when som'
one Of the players opened a fat pot
ana every one stayed in. 1t was Da
3 Wilson's last say. He raised as M
3 usually did, and still no one dropped
ont This transferred to the pot abou
half of what he had left Of his origi
nal sum. The cards were now drawn
rbe opener drew three. the next 1--WE
lrev two each and the last three on
,ach. Davidson was one OF those Whl
rev one card. The opener bet an
3 davidson raised him with all the mon
3 " he had left. Since he was so glVel
B % bluhing. the others, supposing d
3 aad drawn but one card to scare tneh
& Of. called him.
s If he won he would win twice IN
B mortgage money. If he lost ne Woul
3 have nothing left. After the last DC
8 he laid his scal-ls ON the table rae
& down 1t was noticed that he was u
B boring under a terrible excitement
8 de bent over the table, his head res
s nc on his arms. The rest SHOVE
& heir hands The opener had on
B mall pair, another had pair
8 COS. 4 third had two pairs. sevens m
s ours. and the fourth man had pa
3 Z queens. The highest hand IN %
3 ct was the sevens ana fours' not
8 lard one TO beat.
8 Come. Davidson; show your manu-
s Davidson didn't move. one OF u
8 players, impatient to know the rssul