The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19
HE WAS STRANGER:
THEY TOOK HIM IN
And Something Out Of the Ordi-
nary Happened in the
Poker Game.
NOBODY CLAIMED THE POT
Though Four Players Had
Cheerfully Put Up All
They Had.
NOBODY CLAIMED THE POT
~ DAVID A. CURTIS.


but sufficiently strong to induce old
man 0reenlaw 20 glance toward the
corner in which he always kept his
bungetarter in readiness for immedi-
ate use. whenever It might seem ad-
visabe to use il. Satisfying himself
by means OF the glance that II stood
there he rested his Two hands on the
bar and awaited the strangers utter
ance.
This proved TO be entirely satisfac-
tory as a beginning The stranger was
evidently acquainted with the social
usage which obtained In the place. and
was not minded to neglect 1t, where
fore he said. Let's liquor" The words
did not by any means secure any def
mite status for him, but they served to
establish at least a temporary claim on
the attention OF the company assembled
in the old mans little saloon In Ar
kansas City, and this was freely ac-
corded To him.
The preliminary ceremony having
been performed he spoke again.
81 reckon mel)he tn amt nobody
hyah en- tell me nothin bout a man
what I done hecr'd he plays the best
game o. poker what they ls played in
the hull valley" he said, rather doubt
fully. Then he looked around from one
to another in the little party as II in
the unreasonable expectation of get
ting an answer.
This business OF looking around he
continued for a time before he realized
that he had in some way committed
a tactical arror. but the realization was
forced upon him before very long. There
was no question of his retaining tho
attention OF his hearers. They re-
garded him steadily and gravely, but
he was gradually made aware that
there was no one present who was
likely to say anything in response to
his remark.
No one showed any disposition to
dispute what seemed to be a fact, that
his intention had been to ask q ques-
ton, but no one seemed to consider II
a fact that he had asked one. And this
was entirely aside from the considera-
ton OF whether II was advisable to an
swer the question II he had really put Il
After he had reached q fair concep-
ton Of their mental attitude, he spoke
further. being evidently Of . persever-
ing sort.
rs theyr' he said.
Us they what?" demanded old man
0recnlaw. with a shade of peremptori-
II done said what" retorted the
stranger with some spirit
"Mebbe So" said tho old man indif-
ferently. IT want list'nin'."
He looked at tho stranger deflantfy
as he spoke. and It was perfectly mani
fest to tho latter that tho shame ess
insincerity OF tho words indicated q
challenge Of some sort.
Il reckon yo' all didn't lose nocllin' o.
what 1 said" was the response, but
mebbe yo' mem'rys bad. mought say
It again"
well" said tho old man, 9Th Amt
no law agin talkin' II a man 8 kerr
full O. what he says. Some 10 kyind O.
reckless"
well, ainV no mo- reckless n tn
average, but where como from q man
on most gently git some answer TO a
question. p'vidin' It's civil"
Don't make no difference where yo'
como FROM" said tho old man, show
ing temper. This yerc's Arkansas
CITY. an mo n THAI, amt heerd no
question ast. Come to think, pears
liks 70 all was sayin' how mebbe they
want nobody round what couldn't tell
n0thfn' bout somebody"
-TnaSAs right" said the stranger an
rsonon thatAs . question"
well. meobe II mought b tooten
tha4Away." admitted tho old man. fa4rly
oornered. But pears like II don't
mean nothin' p'ticlar. I done answered
that 3 fur q II goes said Is they
whatT
The stranger was furious. II reckon
~ all must b trytn' to mako blue mud
DO the work O brain matter. Any damn
fool cd tell what was meant
SAebbs So" said old man 0roonlaw
In that case 20 all On prob1y 'xplain
I aant no damn fool my own self"
Z wouldn't take my oath TO H." 70
boresd the stranger bitterly. Il sh'd
~ how ~ was toi'abls nigh Inc big
80 damn fooi ON airth."
Z dunno but what thatS r4ehe," said
the Old man calmly. 70 al amt mon
about six foot I'm where I b, right
now"
The Dow q PeAos hAA BEEN nutter-
inc nerv0usly before that, but on
bearing thess hast words she spread
her vinEs for Immediate fight While
she did this, however. there was ar
outburvt Of uproartous Laughter from
n othera IN the room Tho quality