The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19

reply, out after n moment or TWO tne |
old man said doubtfuiiy:
81 amt never heerd o. no SIGH phe- |
nombenon IS what 20 all says. They is
game O. poker played in the back
room I'm time to time, but s fur g
/ know it's just a plain. ornery game.
IL don't never play my own self, |
not as a rule. but some O. these gents
does. cant say nothin' bout none
on EN- bein' extry good players, an |
I'm what yo' all says likely they
wouldn't none on 'em keer to set In.
Pears like they wouldn't have much
of a chanst with no expert"
His eyes were fixed keenly on the
stranger as he spoke and when the lat
ter heard the others in the room re-
ferred to as players he looked from
one to another questioningly. but no
one showed enthusiasm.
II kin play poker" admitted Jake
winterbottom. hesltatingly, but I
reckon amt qualified to play with no
Professionals" And the others appeared
TO share his diffidence.
Plainly the strangers desire was
whetted.
ct amt no p'fessional." he said with
some eagerness. nor don't p'tend to
know no mo- bout poker n the AYR
age citizen, but I sho' does 'dmre to
play with them that Understands the
game. It's ruther Expensive. some
times, but I reckon It's worth payln'
70 to he learned how"
Stlll there was hesitation, but pres
entity Sam Pearsall said. IT feel that
away my own self I amt got no call
TO- to play into no big game. but s
long g they amt no Professionals settin'
in I don't mind losin' q little money
TO- the sake o. tn Experience. ] mo-
ton we has n game. Tn amt nothin'
TO p'vent man I'm cashin' in n he
finds the luck is runnin agin him"
That's the idee." said the stranger,
still more eagerly, and as there seemed
10 be no reason for any further at
tempt to lead him on. the others agreed
/ to make up n game.
The keen suspicion which Ia likely to
! be engendered in the mind OF one who
1 INDUCES frequently in the more or less
exciting pastme OF playing poker with
adversaries who do not stand on the
footing OF intimate acquaintance was
/ by no means absent from the mind OF
any In the party. Winterbottom and
Pearsall, being we'll acquainted with
each other, entertained no doubt what
soever "a to the reliance they could
place on the scrupulous observance OF
the ethical considerations which should
properly govern the play OF honorable
/ antagonists, 80 far as their own play
was concerned. And being equally well
acquainted with Joe Bassett and Jim
Blaisdell, who had also consented TO
play in the game. they had precisely
the same quality Of faith In the hon
esty OF these two gentlemen that they
had in their own.
with regard TO the other two II was
also the case that neither one OF them
was troubled In the slightest degree by
any apprehension OF a possible attempt
at chlcanery on the part OF any one
OF the four who had played together
from time to time for a long period.
There existed among them, TO put II
briefly. mutual confidence in one
another which was born OF a thorough
knowledge OF the standards Of moral
rectitude which they were all equally
concerned in maintaining.
As to their attitude toward the
stranger and his attitude toward them
II could not be said truthfully that It
was to be characterized in any such
way. It was within the knowledge OF
HI Oh tHtHl tlldl IL was pOSolbIt AZ n
person who was sufficiently astute and
sufficiently INSCRIPTIONS to take undue
advantage OF any opportunity that
might arise In the course OF tho game.
entirely regardless Of the consideration
Of any detriment to the interests Of any
other player in tho game.
The degree of his probity WAS an
unknown quantity to them, even as
his knowledge Of their code Of ethics
was entirely non-existent, 80 that there
was a certain element Of doub, as 10
what might be expected, in the frame
OF mind in which they began the con-
test.
They proceeded with degree OF eau
ton. which was customary among
them in similar cases. and watched
him closely with the definite purpose
OF demonstrating 70 him that he wa;
Just a plain ordinary fool.
Before they had executed their pur-
pose. however, tho answer came. They
had played along for a little while
without any serious damage being done
to anybody when II came the turn OF
Mr.. Blaisdell 10 deal the cards.
Strange things happened sometimes
when Mr.. Blaisdell dealt, and long ex.
| PCllchCo III win Hdd iNN
his friends TO expect them at any time
so that they had almost a s,rperstitiou'
confidence in their luck II they hap
pened to need q particular card in thu
draw. And this time II occurred e
each of the three who so expected tina,
one certain card would complete hant
on which he would feel justified II
betting a considerable sum.
Pearsall had tho age, and he had pu
UP the usual ante. When, therefore
Winterbottom, who sat next, saw tina
he had . reasonable expectation o.
winning tho pot. he came in without
hesitation, and Bassett following hin
trailed having what ne considered
good chance In the draw. Tho stranger
raised II. and tho dealer stayed out.
Pearsall seeing an opportunity RAISED
again, and Winterbottom and Basset
Il stayed along. waiting to 500 what tn,
stranger would do.
| Pearsall called for one card, and %
to the surprise OF four men at tho table
did each Of the other contestants. Ther
OF course betting was IN order.
Winterbottom put up $40. Basset
made II $40. The stranger raised II 81
and Pearssil showed $40 forward
, Winterbottom looked puzzled bu
satisfied. and he raised again. Ther