The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-06-06

thing had been seen OF two Louisiana
planters who they had heard had re-
Gently come up the river in search Of a
hrst class game of draw poker.
|, There was a couple O. spo'ts come in
here night afore last" said the old man
indiferently. Il can't'say if they was
lookin' fr a game.
Pears to me some O the boys took EN-
into the back room, but / didn't take no
special notice. More'n likely they must
a, played somepin' in there too, come to
think on 7. bein' as they borried a few
dollars ofn me for to make up their
boat fare home"
just my luck" growled Darling.
Here's me an my pal come all the way
I'm Memphis. on the chanst O settin' in
with two o the hea West %plungers on the
river. We heerd they was comm, here
lookin' FRA big game an we was min
on buttin' in II we was let
We'll. you sure be late il you was lookin,,
Jake .Winterbottom, with IN a~ggravating
drawl; but If you was just lookin' fr
a game an want the roof tool of | reckon
maybe there's them here as II play"
Suits we uns." said Harvey briefly,
and without more ado the game was on,
W~interbottom, Blaisdell. Bassett and
Pearsall taking their usua seats and the
two outsiders opposite each other.
Each man bought a hundred in chips
at the start, but it was evident that they
were only wanted for change since there
was no talk OF table stakes or Of a limit.
In cutting the deal fell to Peirsall and
Bassett sitting next, threw in S. as his
dropped his cards. but Blaisdell came in
with $40 and Winterbottom passed.
Harvey made it $50 to play and Pearsall
dropped. but Bassett trailed and Blaisdell
came back with $40 more.
They looked ~curiolsly at Harvey. but
he finding himself alone against two foes
folded his cards without d word. and
Bassett losing interest in his hand threw
it down The result seemed unimportant.
but h play served as an indication OF
the tactics of the game.
When Bassett dealt it seemed to be
understood that pure chance dominated
the falling Of the cards. and when Darling
his ante he raised unhesitatingly on the
strength OF his three sevens, though his
confidence in the hand waned when all
came in but Winterbottom.
In the draw. however. he caught a
pair Of jacks and observed that each Of
threw in a white chip without looking at
his draw and Harvey promptly. bet 500.
Pearsall trailed, Bassett raised it 500,
and Darling, taking the chances OF a
plunge. made it $500 more.
Lifting the corner Of the card he had
drawn and catching a glimpse Of it's face,
Blaisdell trailed. and Harvey. taking his
cue from Darlins's play, reraised it $500.
Thereupon Pearsall and Bassett dropped
and Darling raised again.
Blaisdell. finding himself under a cross
fire. merely smiled. Then, pulling out his
wad, he covered the $1,000 already up
and made il 81 1000 more
ct ~@l~ y 10 zatl ~,,tatl- svva'l cot
a tol'able good play outen this.
The W wise men exchanged glances.
and Harvey threw down his cards, then
Darling called. He could hardly do less
in the face of a probab BILE bluff. holding a
full house. Blaisdell. however. had
drawn to mines up and had caught a nine.
so the pot e to him.
Darling clinched his teeth. but said
nothing, and taking the deck dealt with
extra care. There were few men, unless
it was Blaisdell himself. who could do
better thar he, but Blaisdell was keen
enough to see what he vas doing. and
Harvey was the only player to coine in.
Then. as Blaisdell refused to play. tho deal
passed to him.
What followed was a surprise. Re-
gardless Of their knowledge of the deal
er's skill both the river men caIne in and
playing TO the full strength Of their cards
swelled the pot till there was nearly S. 5000
on the taDle teIOTe tne QTdW.
Then pulling a pint flask from the
breast pocket Of his coat Darling made a
little speech.
we uns knowed tol'able we'll what
We was up against when we set IN he
said, an figgerin' that two agin four
or five wouldn't stand no show in a rough
house we reckoned oil eveniil' things up
some.
This here stuff in the bottle is nitro
glycerine. an if there's any trouble over
this hand count q crooked play the
bottle gets smashed, see! IL we uns
is did np the hull house goes
Just wait a minute said Winterbot-
tom with a drawl. and as he spoke old
man Greenhut looked in at the door with
his bungstarter in his hand. you ms
is evident got the drop on us an we amt
got much to say.
9 THAT there trick was played on us
Loncet afore. an I'd kind o like to see
whether that bottle II reelv bust or
whether you'm h'ufin'. I'm bettin'
81 900 there amt nothin' wuss'n water
into it,"
'An' you ms en- skedaddle g quick
g you like said old man Greenhut,
stepping forward with his b%ungstarter
appraised I'D oughter swipe you one
or two afore you GO, but ruther n to have
the place mussed up I'll let you of this
time.
.No! There amt no time fr dividin'
the pot nor fr cashin' in It's up to you
to Kit. Your bluffs beer called
Seeing that it had been, Darling and
Harvey left.