The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-09-20
BLAISDELL TRIES A
NEW POKER TRICK
TO the Chagrin Of a Champion
Player Who Sits In at
GrccnlawS Game.


I'llcu upon thtlf skill IN playing the
great American game for their sus-
tenanco than Mr. James Biaisdell of
Arkansas city, commonly called Jim,
was in the days when old man Green
law was among the most prominent
citizens in that community. But there
were other artists In the same line
whose record Of achievements was not
10 be dcspiscd.
The one eyed man was among them.
hut after mJLng few visits to Ar
han'as city which proved to be more
or less tumultuuuS in character ne
hhd stayed away from there for a long
Time Whether this was the result OF
hution on his part or whether it was
hccauS" Ne was fairly well satisfied
with his achievements when there
was never definitely determined He
was bold 10y nature, but he was also
wary.
Concerning one Buck Gwaltncy less
watt known hut there had come to Ar.
kansas CITY. through MIR. owen Pepper.
contain dlspuictinE rumors of the prov
o's Of new payer who was dis
tinguishlny himself in some of the
games that were played on the Mis-
slssippi River boats at that time. and
Mr. Pepper said that he I'D not know
Of his own knowIedge hut that on in
formation and belief he was prepared
60 say that the recently discovered eX-
pert called himself Buck Gwaltney.
Does yo' all reckon what he's as
good as they say" asked the old man,
somewhat anXiuuslv
lie had great confidence in the four
men who played habitually in the back
room OF his saloon, and he seldom or
no. - Ia,
desired or who could I've persuaded 10 sit
In with them, but he had strong
preference for those who were not to
be classed as experts having the pro-
verbal timidity Of the capitalist when
1t came TO putting NJ actual money.
"Oh, | don't know" said MIR. Pepper.
but | seen him win the one eyed
mans wad the other night playin' two
handed"
"Sho' is good un then" said the old
man, but | reckon faint likely he'll
stop over 70 Arkansas city. bo!n's he's
dom SO we'll onto the boats"
"Oh, / don't know" said Mr.. Pepper.
He pears 10 be out 70 all the money
they Is in the valley. Goes asho to any
place where he en- hear of "A game. Mo
n likely he'll be here tolable soon. He's
headed tnisaway."
ThercupoH the old man lapsod into an
unusual and moody silence, showing no
JOY at the prospect. Mr.. Blaisiell, on
the other hand, was plainly elat,d. He
said nothing at the time. however and
was observed to be more thoughtful
than usual for the remainder of the eve
ming, which, as it happened, was quiet
one, nobody coming into the little saloon
who cared 10 play poker.
When II became evident from the
latcncss Of the hour that nothing was
likely to happen he rose to 20 home. bur
b fore leaving he stepped up TO the bar.
Gimme a deck" he said, and the old
man produced one that had been played
with ana which he had frugally put
away for use in case any one should de-
sire to play solitaire.
NO. | want new deck" said Blais-
dell, and the old man gave him one still
sealed up in its original package. This
he put in his pocket, and saying nothing
he lett the place.
The next day when he appeared he
handed II back to the old man, saying:
Put that one side TIL that there Gwalt-
ncy person comes in. Then If Sam Pear
rail- calls 10 red deck in the game yo'
ali fetch that un in
The old man looked at it somewhat
n curiously. lie could see no evidence of
\ the package having been unsealcd but
he was not mlslyd by that
"Yo' all amt gwine To rope in no
marked guards onto him, be yo'?" he
said Mo n likely he en- tell EN- )
well : so If he's any SIGH player s they
tells"
Marked nothln'." said Blasdell i'm
patiently. II don't have 10 mark no
guards TO to tell what they be, not
when I'm dcaiin' | don't"
And 10 the others he said: IF we has
game with him into it I'm gwine to
get on his right Pcarsall d better set
opposite an when l kick him on the
shin he wants To call 70 a red deck.
Wen be pidyln' with a blue un."
II was unnecessary for him to say
more than that, bu. though they knew
him TOO well TO expect information at
that stage, the old man could not for
bear from questioning
lis yo' an got somepin new up yo'
sleeye?' he asked.
"MeJbe," said Blaisdell.
"Mought be some better II yo' was 10
Npiuln,' persisted the old man. THE
boys mought help
Il won't have to have no help" was
the curt rcjoindcr, and even the old
man saw that his effort was useless
We'll, alrs gotter say" he remarked
with unmlstakable awe, lis how any
man what en- put Somepin new into
tn. game o poker thes" days deserves
wr,l OF his country, as the Good boon
says. en- remember when the draw
was intcriuccd, an | rec<oned then how
they couldn't never Ice uothin' mo did
- oil