The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-04-14
THAT FIFTH ACE.

When the gold craze Of 1849 was at
its height l was following the life of
professional gambler and general crook
at D.. one Of the largest mining towns
| of the west. / had fleeced u couple of
| miners of a snug sum at Round Hole,
a small mining camp few miles north
Of D., and had promised to give them
| a chance to win back their losings.
Their names were Dodson and Now
yer. The former was little fellow.
while his partner was tall and power
fully built and spoke with peculiar
yet rather pleasant drawl.
Early on the appointed Sunday morn
ing set out for Round Hole and when
I arrived stopped at the Big Strike sa-
loon, where l was to meet my two vic
tins. Presently they came riding up
to the door and dismounted. AS they
came in it struck me they acted rather
formal. Dodson nodded.
Shortly after we were seated at a
table, and it was Dodson's deal. The
deck we had belonged to the saloon.
The night before a desperate had been
shot in this same room, and when
Dodson picked up his hand he found
on one Of his cards a fresh blood
stain. That was enough for him. Il
don't think there Is anything that
wouldn't happen to u.s." he said, IF
we use these cards." So we threw
down our hands.
Seeing In this q golden opportunity.
quickly produced a deck from my
pocket and gave 1t to Mowyer, as it
was his deal next in order. For a mo-
ment he hesitated and then. looking
at me from under his shaggy brows.
drawled out, well, pardner, s'pose
this decks all right; but, seems how
this amt no make believe game
we're a-goin' to play here directly.
reckon 'twon't do no harm to make
sure" So he began carefully to suit
them, one by one.
The only mirror Round Hole could
boast of was over the bar in the Big
Strike saloon. and while he was busy
with the cards l noted how plainly
you could see his reflection in the
glass. All! / could make use of that
glass later on. for it would tell me
whether he held any aces to spoil the
effect of those l had In my sleeve, for
we were playing poker.
Before we commenced a stranger
came in and asked leave to join us,
and soon we four were deep in the
game of bluff" Before the first hand
had been played l became conscious
Of Mowers eyes following my every
move. He was watching me like
cat, and, stealing a glance in the mir
ror, saw his big six shooter was ~
ing in his lap. So he was suspicious?
Very well; would risk nothing until
big money was at stake.
We played for an hour. Dodson and
I were ahead, Mower and the stran-
ger were losers. and then the critical
moment came nearly everything on
the table was in the pot. Mowyer had
bet his last dollar and called" us. In
the excitement | worked in cold"
ace at the risk of my life. played it
safe and won the pile on show
down. If FIVE aces had come out that
time there would have been another
tragedy at the Big Strike.
Mower was out. held most of the
dust" but Dedson and the stranger
were not ready to quit, SO another
hand was dealt 1t was the strangers
deal. !. had noticed he was very light
fingered. and as he shuff1ed the cards
I So Nm hfr, cl;,, ono nm hfc cloovo h,,f 7
said nothing. eas playing In luck.