Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-30
HE WAS A STRANGER,
I AND HE LOST HIS WkD
Draws Pair OF Scvcns to Three Aces,
hut He Loses Even On
High Hand.
SOME UNDUE EXCITEMENT
Old Man Grccnlaw Brings His Rung-
starter Into Play When There
Seems Danger Of His Poker Gang
Losing Its Coin.
IN, David A. Curtis.D

The wayfariuc man, though a fool.
Was seldom inclined 20 tarvy long in
Arkansas city during those days III
which that community suffered. as did
great sections Of the South. from the
dcmoraliziuc Influences ana the dis
astrous effects OF the civil war. IL
was a perfectly practicable stopping
ttlacc II ono desired 10 stop, hut he
roud that Il was difficult for a stranger
to discover any reason why there
should be settlement there. Yet q
settlement there undoubtedly was. and
al intervals things happened in 1t.
or these things floods were the most
important Twice a wear in the sea son
Of northern thaws the MiSSissippi River
misbehaves itself Unfortunately swollen
In hulk. II breaks over its banks
spreading devastation through the
land and threatening ruin to every
thing artificial in the valley. Even :"
crude an imitation of n town as Ar
kansas City was liable TO extinction
on these casions. and being half un-
der water ms II was whenever HOOD
ragged &c presented spectacle of
'desolation even more woful than It's
.ordnary aspect. This seemed crnci
.and unnecessary
\ visitor 10 Arkansas city IN h"on
time. therefore. found himself almost
literally between the devil and a fait
imitation OF the deep blu" sea. HAY
ing nothing but leisure TO occupy his
mind. he would ordinarily he driven
TO drink Having drunk sufficiently lie
would he emboldcned 10 play poker.
GREENI.Aw'S SALOON
IL EASY OF ACCESS
Hence the existence Of old man
Cireenlaw's saloon, which WAS as easy
Of access az any other plac" In q
hood and which offered facilities for
the two pursuits mentioned highly
creditable 70 the enterprise of the pro-
prietor. No visitor having the price
was turned away thirsty from his
door No man with :: wad WAS denied
the privilege OF sitting in At :h" game.
And there was always a game when
visitor was willing to play.
Buck Saxton was always Wiling to
play poker Moreover. II" was "ntit'N
crcc from tanaticism on the subject OF
drink Being country bred, amt gifted
heyoud the average with physical
ability. he had frequently induigcd IN
such enjoyment as he had found await |
able in the rural districts without
having suffered any serious cohSc-
ouences thereafter. Accordingly, he !
was known TO his associates as = real
snort. though he had never attained
INC standing OF :, professional, rither
nj the poker table or ut the bar, being |
ciasscd properly enough, as an anna 1
t.ur in each of the two pursuits that
constituted the whole Industry of Ar
Kansas city Nevertheless, h" ranked
high in his class.
When therefore. MIR. SaNt"n found
himself in Arkansas city at Time
whom the boat service was even more
Irregular than usual, ON acCoun, of
tho Hood. and was forced 10 remain
there longer than he desired or had
expected. he did not wait to DC driven
10y despair to seek diversion in the
only two possible ways III which II
was TO be found On the contrary, he
LA Nslfl M @
eagcrness for an opportunity 10 enjoy
himself In either OF those two ways
Not being acquainted with the con-
ditionS OF life in a large city, he was
unable al first 10 locate amy spot in
which he could find the necessary IA
Ciitics There was liquid substance
dispensed at the bar OF the little hotel
where he put UP during his stay. but
even to his rohustious appetite il hard
~ seemed 10 he an acceptable aubSti-
tutc for q potable Il was alcoholic
beyond q doubt, and IL WAS wet. hut
that WAS all that was To be said for
H.
hailins the first man Sc sax. qucs-
toned aim somewhat abruptly
What kyind Of 81 town is this yer
Rnywa%?' he said "Ajn't they no place
"a nobody TO stay. Only this shacli?"
what's III Injection TO i;?' was the
n" less abrupt reply he received Tho
man he had addressed chauced to be
Joe Hassctt. who hciue the sh.riff
had official reasons for uphoIdina The
niEni'N OF .AsNanYas city. aud who.
moreover wa. 4orM" what impatient. in
his personal capacity. Of ANYTHING
"h,ci Savored az d'scoUrtcsy
W.i reckon mcbhc they ain't no
nilrElar hie"ttOus 10 IL If anvhodv
iihcs IT. said Mr. Sax,ou. vho y,a.. ,
devoid of ulayfnlucss I'm his ,,,,,,,