Smyrna times., 1912-07-10
AGAME OF
POKER
By ]. B. FERGUSON

L
often for fun and when we sat down
to a game this Saturday afternoon had
no idea of running into a big game
But Bingle, who was real estate
dealer, had made a large sale. pocket
ing several thousand dollars commits
sion. which had just been paid him
in cash Parkinson was operating in
wheat and had just closed out an in
vestment which had paid him $4,000
AS for me, was on the opposite side
of this luck, having lost $500 by thf
bursting of a bank. Nevertheless l had
$50 in my pocket that had been paid
me after banking hours
AS may be supposed, was not re
spOnsible for the high betting that
gradually grew upon the party. I was
drawn into it very unwillingly. 1t
started by Bingle's getting a full Of
mines and Parkinson getting three
aces.
dropped out then, and Blngle won
$40. It's easier to expand than to
contract, and after that, there being
some good hands around the board.
we kept betting higher with every
hand. Though / had very little money
to start in with. had unlimited credit
with my two friends. Indeed. though
the other two had the cash, we played
on tab. But with us tab was as good
as gold.
Bingle and Parkinson were both
winners. was a loser. l had no
business to be in such game. for the
loss of a thousand dollars or there
abOuts would break me up. OF course
my friends wouldn't press me for any
quick payment. or any payment at all
for that matter, but would pay any
way, or If ! didn't could never look
either OF them in the face till did
Instead of losing a thousand l got
socked for three or four thousand. The
devil seems to be in cards. Here were
three bosom friends, wild with excite
ment, trying to ruin one another, who
under other influences would give
their lives for an opposite purpose. We
grew more and more wrought up till a
jack pot was opened and every man
came into the betting.
Now, it was evident from the mo
ment we all took up our hands that
there was going to be some pretty
warm betting. but whether it was to
be on big hands or blufing on small
ones was a question. Desperate,
sailed in on three tens. Bingle raised
me and Parkinson raised Bingle. We
ci hn r.
six or seven thousand dollars in the
pot when we were brought to a halt
by a sharp ring on the telephone bell.
Somebody from Parkinson'S house
asked us If Parkinson was with US
and when told that he was said he was
wanted at home Immediately; his wife
had tainted
Parkinson threw down his cards.
face on the table, and ran out of the
room. leaving me and Bingle with big
pile in the pot We concluded to wait
awhile, thinking that Parkinson might
telephone US after getting home. So he
did. but his wife had received a stroke
and had died before be reached her
OF course some time must elapse be
consultation. Bingle and l decided tC
drive a tacl, through each hand, face
down. fastening it to the table. This
was done. and. scooping the pot into q
handkerchief tied up the corners anC
it was committed to Bingle's charge
Then we went about our business.
Parkinson caught cold on the day Of
| ~ q
the house He lay there for three
months. during which time | suffered
untold agony. not knowing whether
was out some $4,000, which meant ruiz
to me, or by the hand that was locked
up l would come out even. AS fond a!
was of Parkinson. preferred that h,
should die rather than linger betweeI
life and death. keeping me in suspense
Such is the influence of gambling.
Parkinson finally died, and Bingl
and had a conference as to what W
should do about the locked up poke
pot.
ParkinsOn's interest In 1t was par
Of his estate, and when a man die
the law takes charge Of his estate t
see that it goes to the proper owner
1 and no one has any right to touch an
part of it. The condition was not onl
/, inconvenient. but embarrassing.
, kept me on the anxious seat, and
!, order to settle who owned the poke
n pot the whole matter must come on
= and not only must it be known thu
Bingle and |, who lived, had been il
dulging in big game. but the same r.
Election would be cast upon Parkinson
who was dead.
Bingle and | went together to u Law
yer, told him all about the matter an
asked his advice. He took a week
look up the case, then asked US to b
Office and said:
1.-THE jack pot. according to certat
decisions have run across. is part
WilkinsOn's estate--if he won It. Ri
If he didn't win and he owed either
both of you money by gambling loss
you can't collect under the law"
s. 'You mean," 1 interrupted. lit