Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1914-08-13

livery ulolHeIlU IIe elIecLS OF dflEE
showed more plainly in his flushed
cheeks and thickened speech
Then suddenly, just after the biz
hands with the agile fingers had
swept in the second $50, Old Ike be
came foolish.
as tn limit OFF," he demanded and
stared at Railroad Jim with bloodshot
eyes
Jim's orbs returned the old mans
gaze without apparent emotion
faint reg'lar," he replied life
lessly.
Old Ike banged his hand viciously en-
the table.
Us tn limit off 2" he shouted.
Railroad Jim ran a wary eve owe,
the company before he answered. then:
''All right, unless any gent Objects
he declared coldly.
ANY ornery cuss as wants ter oh.
ject d better say so ter mel" the old
man spluttered. glazing about. And to
jim: 9TH limits off, huh? Be right:"
9TH limits off, Railroad Jim agreed
Old Ike drew forth battered pocket.
book and laid it before him on the
table, one hand still clutching it,
Throw yer keerds," he commanded
Railroad Jim obediently displayed
the three cards to the company and to
the old man. All could see them dis
tinctly, the ten of spades, the ten of
clubs, the jack of diamonds. The
thrower passed them back and forth
gently, slowly, then dropped them deli,
cately one by one on the table.
"Ill bet my pile pick tn jack" Old
Ike clamored.
"How much?" Railroad Jim asked.
His voice was colorless still, but a
f1eck of red burnt in either cheek.
"Just plumb $4,000"
Ike opened the pocketbook and dis
played thick roll of bills Twice he
counted them There were tens. TWEEN
ties, fifties. hundreds The total was
an even $4,000. He laid the money IN
neat pile on the table midway be-
tween himself and the three cards.
match it." he commanded tersely.
Railroad Jim produced his pocket.
book in turn and counted out an equal
sum in bills of large denomination.
fresh from the bank, his profits of two
weeks. This money lay on his side of
the table. Between the two heaps of
bills the three cards waited silently, ar
biters of fortune
Suddenly something happened = a
swift movement, a flash, thud. A
bowie knife stood quivering in the ia
BILE, its polished steel a shaking flame
The bowie's point was buried deep In
the table top, and it pierced and held
fast in its place the center card of the
three.
Old Ike. his spectacular deed wrought
stood back little and laughed aloud
The tension of the startled crowd re-
Taxed somewhat. They had expected a
robbery, a murder. They leaned for
ward in GREATNESS attention.
That's my keerd," the old man cried
triumphantfy. His right hand was at
his hip; his left pushed his stack of
bills up against the center card. ''That's
my keerd.' he repeated defiantly MY
$4,000 is bet on jest that same per
tic'ler keerd. And it's there t win"
Railroad Jim had neither moved nor
spoken. Now the eyes of the two
men met and locked for a long half
minute. and neither flinched in his
stare.
But at last Old Ike again put forth
hic of hon bn
the card on the right. 1t was the ten
of spades.
moment more of pause. then be
turned over the card on the left. II
was the ten of clubs The third card
remained face downward pinned to the
table by the bowie's blade.
Once more Old Ike raised his eyes to
those of Railroad jim.
do win?' he asked tauntingly.
And again he laughed.
The monte dealer thrust his pile OF
banknotes toward the old man. He
displayed no emotion. but the fieck OF
color in his cheeks burned brighter
than before.
Excuse me minute. gents" he re.
marked in his cold tones 81 must git
some more money t go on with" With
that he left the room by a back door.
Old Ike put away the $4,000 without
undue haste. chuckling softly. This
done, he pulled the bowie knife from
the table. AS the blade left the wood
the card was loosened and fell on the
table face up. 1t was the ten of clubs
A gasp Of amazement went up from
the crowd. The three cards now lay
plainly revealed to all-the ten OF
spades. the ten Of clubs and-the ter
of clubs!
A chorus of EXPLANATIONS broke forth
The old man looked at the excited
crowd and waved his hand for 81
lence
where's tn jack O. dimonds?" be
repeated CONTEMPORARY in answer te
the burden of the cries. why, Rail
! road Jim sleeved tn jack reg'ler. He
novor LOT ~ IN fo 70 hIa 1r,han tho,