The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-28

tom, Pearsall and Bassett all siRnif,ed
their willingness to make things as
pleasant as they could for one who
sought entertainment.
Under the circumstances Il seemed
unnecessary and even inadvisable to
delay the proceedings, and as the game
was to be poker, the old man pro-
duced cards and chips which he took
into the back room, the others follow
ing.
After they had seated themselves and
bought their chips the stranger asked
Does yo' uns play limit gamer"
whats limit gamer" inquired
Sam Pearsall. with a show OF surprise.
"Oh, nothin' much" replied the
stranger. and nothing further was said
on the subject.
1t seems probable that the Arkansas
City men were somewhat misled by
the obvious. not to say ostentatious
inebriety which the stranger was en-
toying. and that they looked forward
with undue complacency to an easy
victory. but II that was indeed the case
1t took only short time to convince
them OF the error in their reckoning,
for the stranger showed speedily that
his acumen had not been greatly af-
fected by his potations.
The first few hands were played with
cut the achievement OF any important
results, no one receiving cards of suf-
ncient value to Justify the betting Of
any considerable sum. but after a time
Winterbottom found he had three aces
before the draw. And as Blaisdell was
the dealer he felt considerable conf
oence in the outcome of the draw.
He was well placed for the pushing
OF whatever advantage might be forth
coming. he having the age, and to his
entire satisfaction the others, with the
exception of Blaisdell. all came in on
his ante. the stranger. who sat on
Blaisdelrs right. making a consider
able raise.
1t was a noticeable feature OF Blais-
dells game that although he frequently
dealt out hands of even remarkable ex-
cellence when he handled the deck he
seldom gave himself enough to Justify
any very high play. No one was sur
prised. therefore, when he refused to
see the strangers raise.
Wlnterbottom, however, saw his OPP
portunity and came back with a gentle
boost of his own, and Pearsall, hav-
ing only a single pair, threw his cards
on tie table. feeling that Bassett could
be relied upon to give Winterbottom
any aid that might be required to keep
the stranger going. And Bassett. real
izlng the situation, put up chips enough
to keep him In the play. though he
reckoned II premature TO begin cross
fire before the draw. Then the stranger
made good. closing the preliminary bet
ting.
Calling for two cards Winterbottom
received a pair of sevens. 1t was con-
sidered evidence of Blalsdell's remark
able skill in dealing that he never
overdd things.
What Bassett caught in the draw was
Of no Importance to anybody but the
stranger. calling also for two cards.
Jared almost as well as Winterbottom.
He made full house though 1t was
not, of course. as good as the ace full.
No one would have been surprised II
he had raised again after Bassett
Clipped. but instead Of doing so he
waited a while. looking earnestly at
Winterbottom and at the dealer
Finally he threw his hand down. NUT
tering to himself, II reckon | amt got
no chanst." And on the next deal he
scooped a considerable pot. This per-
Torrance he duplicated when Pearsall
dealt. and on Bassett's deal they made
a Jackpot. Then the deck came to him
az dealer.
He shuffled It. as they had seen him
do in the previous round. rather awk-
wardly but for some reason or other
E!aisdell watched his movements with
uausual intentness. He said nothing,
however. and finding two pairs in his
hand he opened the pot for the size
~ IT, Winterbottom trailed. and Pear
sall made 1t $40 more to play. which
Dlssett considered a sufficient reason
for him to lay down.
The dealer saw the bet. and Blalsdell
also came in, but Winterbottom shook
his mead somewhat doubtfully and re-
fused, whereupon 1t became in order
10 serve the draw. and Blaisdell though
he gave a quick glance at the single
card he called for and saw that he had
male a full, resumed his keen watch
OF the deal.
Pearsall called for two cards. indi-
eating his possession OF three Of kind,
and the dealer took one. announcing
the fact In due form. When he dealt
1t off Blaisdell's eyes flashed.
40 all Is dealin' seconds" he said,
very quietly and deliberately, but he
put his hand to his hip as he spoke.
No man In the room needed to be told
ladi 1t was fighting talk.
The stranger realized the situation
as clearly as did the others, and for
an instant 1t seemed likely that he
would respond in the way he was ex-
pecred to. Instead of doing II, however,
i,c paused slightly, and then. leaning
back in his chair. he regarded his ac-
cuser with a auizzcal smile, and spoke
as cne entirely at his ease.
81 reckon tn amt no good denyin'
on II, s long 3 yo' all seen 1t did"
he said, coolly. ~ reckoned this here
CERT" and he indicating Winterbottom,
was gwne to stay in. II he had
wouldn't "a had to did 1t. But 1t was
my deal, want IL? / never said nothin'
when yo' all dealt EN-"
It was possibly fortunate for him
that Blaisdell possessed sense OF
'iumor, for Bassett sprang up In his
usual redheaded fashion at the bold
avowal. and the stranger. equally
prompt, leaped to his feet assuming
defensive attitude. lie was plainly
willing to fight. though he would have
Jared badly with the champion OF the
own