Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1912-02-14
Ole
Poker Lesson
BY r. r. FOSTER.
Copyright, 1910, by the Pearson
Publishing Coy
BY r. r. FOSTER.

had, as Maxwell had loaned the none,
TO bet against him. 1t was gettin,
late, and while Watkins, the barkeepel
and Frank were discussing the posi-
bility OF getting loan on the boat, tn,
two colonies went Off 10 bed The bar
keeper was sure he could find a mar
who would loan five hundred dollars
TO bet on sure thing like four aces
but every one had gone to bed and
they would have to wait until morn
ing.
There was no sleep for Frank that
night. A thousand times he cursed
himself for ever having gone into the
game. and then for his folly in con
senting 10 the change from the safer
game OF table stakes. and then for hi.
not having quit when he was ahead,
and so on through the whole gamut of
vain regrets that every gambler in.
du!ges in after he has lost his money.
One thing he was resolved on; he was
done with poker for all time.
Morning came, and he was on the
deck almost at dawn, looking for the
appearance OF the barkeeper. who was
TO find a man with five hundred dol
lars TO loan for five minutes, TO bet
on hand that couldn't lose.
Colonel Draper was the first 10 come
into the saloon. He pulled out his
watch, and then peered out of the win
| dow al the shore to see how far down
| the river they were.
You will never get this thing fixed
up in time" he began. The best
thing you can do is to 20 on down the
river with us and take your time about
IT. What do you think, Tom" this
| being addressed to the barkeeper, who
had Just joined them.
That's right, Colonel he answered
decisiyely, and then whispered conf
den,ially TO Frank: Let that contract
! job go hang. There's two thousand
/ dollars in that envelope for you II you
stick to it, II you jump the boat. you
don't get a cent OF It,"
AS the minutes slipped away, Frank
felt himself going mad. When he asked
the barkeeper how soon that man with
the money to loan would probably get
! up, all the answer he got was a shrug.
When lie asked the clerk how soon the
boat was due at his landing, he was
told in half an hour. IF il were not
for Jennie" he thought to himself. Il
would chuck that contract and my job
with Stanley and Hobart and every
thing else. With two thousand dollars
capital in my pocket, what do | carer
II it were not for Jennie!
That was all that held him to his
duty when Colonel Draper approached
him just as the gong rang for break
fast and asked him whether he had
decided TO go ashore or stay and settle
that little bet. There was no hope Of
raising the money TO decide the mat
ter before the boat reached Frank g
destination now. The clerk came to
them and told them he was locking up
the safe, as he had TO attend TO the
freight and would not open the safe
again until the boat left the landing.
Frank saw that the decisive moment
had come; to stay on the boat or to
stay with Stanley and Hobart. Just
then il flashed across him that, even
il he let the whole thing 60 and aban-
doned that two thousand dollars, all
- hn ton
dollars he started with. The rest was
all velvet.
The appearance of Watkins, all
dressed for the shore. dispelled this
illusion instantly. How about the
three hundred he had borrowed from
him. Watkins sat down beside Frank
at the table.
81 guess III have TO have that three
hundred from you right away" he be-
gan, In tone that made Frank shiver.
Il go ashore here, and | must have the
money to pay expenses. You go on
down the river, / believer"
Frank confessed that he was going
ashore also, and then he suddenly re-
solved to make a clean breast OF the
whole thing, telling Watkins the fix
he was in, between the contract and
the poker bet.
That's funny" remarked Watkins
after a pause. Il am after that con-
tract myself"
Then | must get the money TO call
that bet somehow" exclaimed Frank.
You saw my hand and you know II is
a certainty. Can't you think of any
way to raise the money? | will pay
you a hundred per cent. interest-any-
thing you want; but | must get out OF
this hole somehow"
so you are going to put in bid
for Stanley and Hobart?" continued
Watkins. totally ignoring Franks anx-
iety about the poker bet.
Yes. but good heavens! must
have five hundred to call that bet first.
If don't get it before leave the boat.
| not only lose every cent of that two
thousand dollars but | can't pay you
Well" continued Watkins dream
lily, as il he were thinking out knot
ty problem. III tell you what I'll do
couldn't raise enough money to call
that bet even il | had derrick, and
| don't see any show for your getting
it in the next ten minutes-the boats
blowing for our landing now. But I'll
tell you what I'll do" he repeated
slowly; "T'll call it square on the three