The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-18

man stepped toward them, looking from
one to another. as II. seeing the impossi
bility OF hitting them all at the same |
time. ne werc trying TO decide which |
one to demolish first.
They sat, however. lighting their |
pipes, which had gone out in the excite
ment, and showing no perturbation at |
his advance. A climax OF some sort |
seemed imminent. but just what form |
Il would take was doubtful. for though |
the old man was wrought UP TO such a |
pitch that nothing short Of general
slaughter would afford him any real |,
action, he found IL a little difficult. |
even in that frame Of mind. to murder n |
man outright who was gazing at him |
benignantly while peacefully lighting
his pipe
He therefore hesltated for moment,
though they could not perceive any
abatement OF his desire for their obit-
GRAFTON. The interval was long enough.
however to permit OF the opening Of
the outside door of the so loon and the
entrance of n stranger.
The first impression they gained of
him from his appearance as he entered
was that he wae tired of life Strangers
who arrived in Arkansas city generally
assumed that expression soon after ar
irving. But as his eye fell on the little
group and he noted the peculiar mo-
tons through which the old man was
going, he seemed to find a new interest
in things
rs yo all slingin that stick round
70 exercise" he inquired. "or he yo
amin to hit somepin' with III Pears
like yo' IN some het up"
Go to hell" said the old man.
there replied the stranger, with a
humorous twinkle in his eye. This
yer's Arkansas city. amt Il? reckon
the two on 'em is much about the same,
on'y l wouldn't be sho' bout gittin'
drink In Z other place. Let's liquor"
Strong as the old mans craving for
carnage was at the moment. the potent
magic OF the invitation coming at the
opportune moment as II did, proved
| sufficient to mitigate II, at least to such
an extent that he laid aside his purpose
and his bungstarter for the time. and
the dove of peace peeked in at the
window
she fiuttered doubttully. however,
when, after draining his glass. the
stranger observed with some curiosity.
Feared like they was somepin' diddin'
when come in. Mebbe 1t mought have
been some kyind OF n game. n It was
I'd like TO set in"
But Blalsdell spoke promptly and en-
tered the room with confidence.
want no game he said. The old
man was just 'Xplainin' how handy
! twas 10 10 nave hungStarter round
case OF a stranger astin' fool questions.
we uns dont Een!N play no games
thouten somebody comes along what
wants TO take hand at poker"
"Poker's where ! live when I'm to
nome said the stranger. AN I don't
never feel like eatln' thouten they's
chips on the table. Is they 1amo
riGh hand?"
They'll be one in about a minute an
half" said the old man. producing
the cards and chips and leading .he
way to the back room, whittier the
others followed with one accord.
ordinarily when strangers were III
ADVISED enough 10 sit In with the four
gentlemen who were always ready 10
play poker with visitors in old man
. GreeHlaw's back room they had more
or loss reason 10 rene mber the occa-
sion af.erward with some regret. Not
. only were all four Of them good enough
players TO hold their own IN any ordi-
nary contest, but there was som" reason
20 suspect that they were sometimes
Z guilty Of playing Into one another's
hands To the 'nd that the stranger
should be bcguiIcd into backing his own
card with undu" confidence.
Even more than that was limited by
som" who had had experience there ana
who were acquainted with the devious
methods 70 which INSCRIPTIONS players
sometimes resort, for there was strong
impression In lthe minds or some az
them that Mr.. Blaisdell, when II came
his turn to manipulate the deck, did
not always deal quito fairly. And Il was
thought that the others knew about this
and We're not above taking advantage
OF Il.
In short, the reputation OF the game
was not altogether such as TO induce a
wary person who was informed in re-
gard to II TO ventur" any considerable
sum or money in II with any great nope
Of winning.
1t did not appear whether this par
tcular stranger was or was not 50 In
FORMED, ana ne ola not at nrst convey
the impression that he was extremely
I wary, so that II could not De tod be-
forehand whether he was confident OF
1 l..s ~ 1W.lf GA .l