The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-12

piished samester with q strong relish |
for the hazard Of poker, but the four |
men opposed to him. Bassett being of
the party. with the three already mem |
toned. were all moro expert than he.
1t Ii probable. indeed, that had the
Squire been more Of q stranger than he
was. the sitting might have been con-
shorter than II proved to be, |
but he was looked upon as a reliable
though irregular contributor to the well
fare OF the party. and no good end was
to be served by Furnishing him with
very great severity. The consensus was
that he was entitled to his moneys
worth Of amusement.
As the pile Of white chips that Win
terbottom was setting to one side from
time to time increased in size to some-
thing like the amount which had been
specified. II might have been noticed
that the yap sat up somewhat straighter
and began to show more interest in
what was happening.
II was as II the ease and indifference
With which money or its equivalent
was passed over by one to another &C.
cording to the varying circumstances
OF the game. inspired new thoughts In a
was being awakened. He spoke no
word. but his eyes grew brighter and
his expression seemed to betoken the
presence Of new born purpose in what
served him a. q mind. The others, how
ever, saw nothing Of this.
At length the full quota Of chips re-
quired was reached and Winterbottom
called out to old man Greenlaw to come
xu,ltb h. ~h
which was to be given to the zap.
Promptly he appeared with the money
and Squire Hapgood having added to II
the amount Of his personal contribu-
ton, the entire amount was placed In
the yap's hands.
As his finger closed upon It his ap-
pearance changed. It seemed as II the
sudden possession OF small fortune
man and a brother. His mien was no
longer apathetic. His dim eyes actually
CLEANED with what proved to be =
dream of avarice.
without taking the trouble to express
in words the gratitude which they had
expected a. q matter Of course he said
quito calmly: This yers money -
mine now. amt IT."
"Sho' H." said the old man. - II .
little surprised. "It's 70 20 an 20
woman"
well. what's hers 10 mine" sAid the
zap. AN bein 3 I got stake I reckon
I'll set in at game II tn Amt no 'b5eo-
TONS"
The cool audacity Of this proposition
struck the entire party speechless with
amazement. They gaxed At him Won
deringly and q variety OF emotions sud
denly showed themselves on their
various faces.
The squire was frankly and openly
delighted with the humor Of the situa.
ton. Bassett showed wrath. Winter
bottom was thoroughly Disguised.
Pearsall seemed only stunned with
surprise. Blaisdeli grinned with cynical
amusement.
The old man said nothing. but after .
single look stepped hastily to the bar
room and returned Immediately, bran.
dishing his bungstarter. There was .
look on his face that indicated . muir
derous purpose.
But Blaisdeli interposed. II reckon
tn amt no call 70 to kill him. Least
ways It don't have to be did 70 . spell.
Mebbe he'd die happier II he was lowed
to play . little poker afo' he cashes in
hnal. motion no sets In. Mought be
. val'able lesson to him."
~ reckon tn amt no 'bJections TO Il, =
growled Winterbottom. "I'd Just az lief
win the money often him s not. bein' he
amt no mo- 'preciative O. what's been
did n TO play It in. Only it's Understood
afo'hand how they won't be no mo-
kittyin' out To- his benefit"
II amt a-lookin' TO none" said the
zap impatiently. II amt never had a
chanst To- to set in at no such game
as yo uns II playin' afo' now an
reckon faint likely what I'll ever gil
another. Pears like II d be wuth the
money II I sh'd lose IT,"
The others debated the question for q
while. Bassett being In favor Of man
handling him, but Blaisdell finally ex
claimed: whats the good O. wastin
time? That en- be did later on. Let!
play guards" And they resumed thu
game. tho zap taking his place amont
them with eager anticipation.
As It happened. tho next deal fell &
tho Squire. so no suspicion attached 4
the somewhat remarkable character o
tho hands given out. II being we'll un
derstood that he was incapable o
crooked play. Pearsall had put up tn
usual ante Of four bits. and Winterbot
tom. after seeing his cards. threw In
dollar. Bassett and Blaisdell boil
trailed and the zap. AFTER little con
sideration. made II two.
Tho Squire saw the raise and Pearsal
with q look Of great malevolence at tn
yap made It IS more. Even that wa
not enough to drive either Winterbot
tom or Bassett. and Blaisdell put up 81
making a further raise OF $40.
"Mebbe thatll he a lesson To yo," h
observed TO the zap with studied in
science, but that person paid no atten
ton to the remark. Instead he Fastened
his doubtful gaze on the cards in hi
hand and with evident desperation pu
up the necessary money to SEQ tho dou
BILE raise.
Tho essential weakness OF the Squire
, game lay IN his disregard Of sfsns q
danger and his love Of long chances, An
, he too followed along. Then PearsAl
, with q meaning glance at Blsisdel
/ raised II SO.
I In the face Of such palpable purpose
y Winterbottom and Bassett would ordi
> narily have dropped out. but they wer
0 both strong, and both stayed. 30 Blais