The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-11
Fails to Induce u Stranger TO
Join in the Poker Game in
the Back Room.
tlSlTORINCLTNEDTO But
NccHnation Of a Pressing Invi-
iation Finally Ex-
planned.
~ DAVID 4 CURTIS.


an III defined air of suspicion. other
wise the visitor was not specially no
ticeabe. A casual survey Of his APP
pearauce would have revealed nothing
that differentiated him in any marked
degree from the average wayfarcr who
might have come in. as many did. to
supply himself with stimulus of which
he felt an immediate need. The keen
perception and well developed powers
Of observation which were Characters
tic OF the old man, however. enabled
him to recognize almost Instantly the
doubtful condition of mind the stranger
was in, and his own suspicion was
aroused promptly.
There was nothing to critioisc in the
opening proceedings. Immediately on
entering the saloon the stranger had in
Nited the company, by the use Of the
customary formula. to join him in "A
drink. and the invitation had been aC-
cepted promptly enough, though With
out unsecmly haste.
Some dcsutory conversation had fol-
lowed. relating To the flood which AT
the time was carrying devastation
through large part Of the Mississippi
Valley and was threatening destruction
to Arkansas City no less than To all the
other river towns, but the subject was
TOO Worn and too familiar to provoke
great interest and was soon dropped
The only further reference To II was
when the stranger cumpl' med rather
ENORMOUSLY of the fact that he would
have to wait nearly two days to get
train out of town
"Th' amt no grc't hardship bout
that" observed old man Greenlaw in
differently. Mos, gcnly they is did
din's 'nough into Arkansas city To- to
make 1t wuth While TO To stay ON TO
"a Couple q days"
Il amt saw none on en-" retortod
The stranger. his tone socmins to m
ply some contempt for the place. They
was niger drownded MP the street a
spell ago. but pears Ike tn amt no
gret 'A,.tement watchin' Niger
crown. II !; ii "a been II white man.
now" he ADDED with some regret.
We'll. u co'se III ain, no p'tic'la
.nt'rost into a thing like that" admitted
he old man upulogc; icall,. The
gculy IL a few nigSeTS drowndcd nuod
,lncs. Pears lik. they is some k.crlcss
bout crossin' the streets BUT / want
spcakin' 'hoM nothin' % that kynd.
What Il had in mind vas somepin
'mpo tIni."
Ia the, anyth.n 'mpo'tant happens
III Arkansas City?" asked the Stranger
with manifest incrtdulity.
"Sho be- sad IN, Old man ind,g-
nanGy. They is mo poker played in
Arkansas tIty nor ;hero IL anywhere
else, TO one thing
oh. poker" said the stranger
slightngy.
We'll til amt uothin' mo important
n poker" declared the old man with the
manner Of one who is prepared 10 main
tain his convictions against all argu-
ment.
Poker i all right" admitted the
stranger, but and he paused,
IL was at this moment that the Old
man became aware oi the ia defined sus-
picion in the strangers mind of which
mention has been made. He waited as
one who looks for The conclusion vi a
sentence and is unwilling To continue d
conversation without "a further state
ment. And as he waited his own
suspicion strengthened. A glance as
sured him that his bungstarter stood
ready to his hand and thereafter he re-
garded the stranger intently, saying
nothing.
No one else in the room felt called
upon 10 speah' nor u'u '''c s'ra"sel seem
'hcilhcu W eoi''"ue' anu sneise was
maintained LOT 80 iohs '1iiie ,iia' Tue
VISITOR pesan' 10 SNOW sunni e"'oa. ' an'-
hieHt ne 'ooheu uu's''c o''e VI W.
as iii'hueu " ieaiv Tue p'ace' ou'
ram was IdIl!hs hea''y anu Tue pros
pect was uh'n'n'ns' ~ 'enstn as -
suoueiliy 'psp4'cu ny n'Pps '"ous"''
ne sa'u "Sa'"'
Let HquoF'
Ihey llquoreu an" s''eHce was re-
euhieu' ihs s'ransvr see"'eu u '''i''n
that ne nan ooIe al .1i"' was i.p"' {"
Oh nm any W nav uIS'.'oseu Inc ~ -
N'oue coh'ei SUI" I'm ,.,, u
ms al NV pr ~, ~" -.
Hieu anu rs ~, ny" "',, .'''
sen oy t'e IRE anu s'i,on.u -,
10 an WAC - 49,
we oiu man s,,.'.s' W. -" ,,1, w.. a,
many eoh''h'co '"'' ''e o''e' VI" -A''
hhtenu 10 so on,
was sa1u 'iie ~ 'nse', % 'u,
P'iscu, uon , ,o 49,.
iecno,' ','n'' YIN. go"
a"' ~ P"''" :, , I,
az, "o "or " ~
uetiaicu ''' o'u ma" "'' No''''"'' o"'