The Washington herald., 1911-08-03
CHAPTER IV-(Continued).

"
mo. no, no. sir. No: I thank you
Just as much. but l never drink more
than onct in a day. At home 1t varies.
On some days l like my liquor in the
mornin'. some days just before bed
time, especially II there is any malary
about, as there is in most of my coun-
try-indeed. I think there is some
malary in these Ohio bottoms up here
That fact is beyond dispute" ven-
tured Judge Clayton gravely. I'm
short, I myself feel in danger as we
pass through these heavy forests"
Quite So" assented the Hon. william
Jones. Sometimes I take a drink in
the mornin' before breakfast, especial
ly II there is malary around, as sad;
sometimes before dinner, but only one;
or. sometimes right after dinner. like
now. Difference among men, amt
there? Some say it's wrong to drink
before breakfast. Others say one drink
then goes farther'n six later in the day.
For me, now, only one drink day.
Unless-that is, of course-unless there
is some very special occasion, such
AS
Such as that offered by this most
malarious country" ventured the
judge gravely.
We'll. yes; since you mention it, on
such an occasion as this. But Tom"
turning to the colored boy, Make 1t
very light; ver-r-ry light. Hold on
thar you rascal not too light
The Hon. William Jones set an ex-
ample in which he was joined temper
ately by the judge. the others con-
tenting themselves in completing their
arrangements for the game. The
tokens were distributed and in accord
ance with the custom of the time, the
table soon was fairly well covered with
money of divers sorts, gold coin, a
lesser amount of silver. bills issued by
many and divers banks in this or that
portion of the country.
Silence fell when the game really
began. The Hon. William Jones at
first ever and anon threatened to erupt
INTO Roman facts and figures, but
chilly glances made his answer. Half
an hour, and the passing of time was
forgot.
At first the cards ran rather severe
ly against the judge, and rather in
favor of the historian. who played the
said poker with such thoroughness
that presently there appeared before
him ragged pile of currency and coin.
Dunwody and Carlisle were losers. but
finally Dunwody began to edge in
upon the accumulated winnings of his
nelghbor on the right. An hour passed.
two hours. more. The boat plowed
on downstream. Presently the colored
boy began to light lamps. There came
to the faces of all the tense look, the
drawn and lined visage which is con-
comitant to play for consider
able stakes. A frown came on
the fiorid countenance of the young Of
ficer. The pile of token and currency be-
fore him lessened steadily. At last, in
fact, he began to show neasiness. He
thrust a hand into a pocket where sup
plies seemed to have grown scarce. There
is small mercy in a game of poker hard
played, but at least one of his oppo-
nents caught some such signal of dis
tress. Dunwody looked up from his own
last hand.
Don't leave us just yet, friend" he
said. You can draw on me for all you
like, II you care to continue. We shall
see that you get ticket back home. No
man can ask more than that
Il have a thousand acres of cotton land
n a hunnerd niggers waitin' for me to
git home" said the Hon. William Jones. |
right hyer, Are you all comm in?"
Il have at least that much left in my !
locker" answered Judge Clayton. What
do YOU say to doubling that"
Suits me- said Dunwody briefly; they |
nodded assent all around, but the young !
er man ventured:
Suppose I sit with you for one jack
pot, gentlemen. The hour is growing late |
for me, and I must plead other duties. |
When a man is both busy and broke, 1t |
Is time for him TO consider
NO. no." expostulated the Hon, Will |
lam Jones. who long since had forgotten |
his rule regarding one drink day. mo, |
no; not broke. and not busy. Not at all.' |
Il don't know" said Dunwody. Sup |
pose we make it one more jackpot all |
around?' They agreed to this. 1t was |
Judge Clayton's deal.
Gimme at least three" began the SEN
ator from Belmont, puckering out his
lips in discomfort.
Three good ones" consented the
Judge. How many for the rest of you?"
Dunwody shook his head. I'll stand |
rs 1t is, please
The judge quietly discarded two cards, |
Carlisle having zone the same. The bet
ing now went about with more than one \
Increase from the Hon. William Jones, |
whose eyes were apparently seeing large.