The sun., 1909-02-21

fashion. The idea that he might be fool
hardy enough to return to the town
had never been entertained nv old man
Greenhut and his friends. and even now
II seemed absurd.
But Mr.. Owen Pepper said: -Ob, |
don't know l heer'd him say he was
p'posin' TO try out all the games he cd
lind along the river. bein' as he lowed
he plays heap better poker now nor he
useter; More'n that, his looks is changed
consld able I'm what they was an he
he is.'
well, said Jim Blaisdell with vicious
emphasis, -mebbe its good f'r him IL he's
learned somepin more about poker nor
he knowed when he was here sfore. There's
others has been improvin' some. But
reckon some on us II be liable for to rec
o'nize him he sh'd reely show up
again"
-Oh, l don't know" began Mr.. Owen
Pepper Last time seem
AT this particular moment the door
Of the saloon opened and q portly mid
die aged gentleman Of impressive APP
pearance entered and looked around in a
friendly way. Al sight Of him MIR. Pepper
the other. may have felt in what he might
have been about to say was instantly
dispelled whom the newcomer said with a
courteous wave Of his hand;
Lets liquor"
His hearty hospitality was evident in his
manner, and those in the saloon were far
from b eing inclined to ignore IL. Old
man Greenhut stepped promptly to his
place behind the bar. and the Others
ranged themselves In front OF 1t with
equal alaority. No great formality was
deemed essential to the simple rite which
was about TO be observed. but the portly
gentleman was evidently Of a somewhat
ceremonious disposition, and ss he raised
his glass to drink he said:
Permit me, gentlemen. to introduce
myself. I'm a planter from the st. Fran
els Valley OF the name OF Peter Ska Rgs
ana az a traveller for pleasure down the
river | have n desire TO make as many
acquaintance as possible among the oiti-
zens OF the places where ] stop.
Finding from the captain OF the boat
that | have some two hours to remain
in Arkansas City. IL 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 pastimes.
PROUD to meet you, Mr.. Skagg. said
old man Greenhut, most graciously, and
they all drank
Then he introduced the stranger TO
Joe Bassett. the Sheriff of the county
Jake Winterbottom. Sam Pearsall. Jim
Blaisdell 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 II rather
preferring to remain unnoticed, though
he did not avoid his part in the bibulous
exercises Nor did Mr.. Skaggs appear
to notice the omission.
Il reckon" said old man Greenhut. as
he set up another round Of drinks, after
little general conversation, 'as how the
industries Of Arkansas City is some like
n nfhar "a
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 leadn' artists
in the pfession. Tain't no game f'r a
sucker 70 get into but q gentleman o.
means. like you is, mought enjoy settin
in f'r a hour or so. bein' as you m travel
lin f'r pleasure
The suggestion met with Mr.. Skaggs's
approval. and a table stakes game with
Bassett. Blaisdell and Winterbottom was
soon arranged. the others declaring that
they did not care TO play;
Each man put up hundred Tor chips
at the start, and Blais1ell and Winter
bottom set the pace for rapid high play at
the very beginning OF the game. so that
the ante was s5. and a raise Of SIS. or even
$50. was an ordinary happening.
Mr.. Skaggs proved himself by no means
aVerse 10 inns eofl oi pay anu ciccituhy
bought twice in the first quarter OF an
hour. Then play in which he joined for
one round. then dropping, was big enough
to drive Bassett to the boneyard, and an
other in which Winterbottom scooped a
large pot made both Plaisdell and Bassett
buv again. In this way il. happened that
before the hour was up there was some
81 900 on the table, OF which MIR. Skaggs
had contributed $500.
The time being limited. it seemed alto
eether desirable to force him to buy again,
and accordingly Blaisdell when it came
his turn to deal gave him full house pat,
being careful to provide Winterbottom
with four sevens.
came In, OF course Skaggs, sitting next.
raised il $40 and Blaisdell made it $40
more. Bassett studied moment and
then came in, whereupon Winterbottom
made it $50 more, and Skaggs boosted him
500, leaving still about hundred in front
Biaisdell trailed, but Bassett dropped
out and Winterbottom said, Il reckon
these here cards Is worth another 500. =
nd he put up the money: ~,
Skaggs hesitated and then said. Il
fear shall not be able TO play much
longer, and I've taken a fancy to this
hand. Suppose We take on the limit
anc Just tuaNe as sS YOU @ ike. said Blaisdell
promptly and Winterbottom. taking his
cue, said Suits me- Bassett, being out
of It, said nothing.
Then Skaggs unrolled a wallet and took
out a huge wad. a thousand better,
he said, laying the bills in the pot. and
Blaisdell dropped
II was a little staggering, even for
Winterbottom. knowing the dealer as
he did. but after a reassuring glance
from Blaisiell he called for all the money
he had in his pocket, which was $500 and
odd. Then, when asked how many cards
he wanted, he declared a pat hand, and
the dealer turned TO Skaggs..
sYou might give me two said SkaRgs
calmly. and Blaisdell, concealing his
sarprise. dealt him OF the desired two:
On the show down Winterbottom' four
seyens were beaten, Skaggs showing
down for tens. and. rising promptly after
scoopine the pot. he repeated his invita-
tion to the bar.
Sorry I can't play longer he said,
sbut I hear the boats whistle and he
cashed in his checks and was gone before
the others had recovered from their
What do you call that, Jim'' demanded
old man Greenhut angrily as the winner
isappeared. arr.
Ip,mb luck" grow,sd Sla!sdell, He
done split a full to draw TO three tens
sOh' 1 don't know" said Mr.. Owen
Pepper with a grin. 'The last time !
seen SkaQRs his name was Gallatin, an
they saw he en- hold out cards bettern
anv other man in Memphis.
Mr.. Pepper was outdoors before old
f,.onnh,t could reach his bung-