The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-09-03
GETS
A BIG SURPRISE

LIS III Ol ZIG mousse, ne Bdlu
again, while he was placing glasses
and bottle on the bar.
Even Bassett was unable to think of
valid objection to this proposition,
an he turned to the bar.
AS for the stranger, he seemed en-
tirely Indifferent, and he probably
was. Having stopped over in Arkansas
City. he realized thai the worst had
already happened. Whatever might
happen to him there would at least
serve to keep him from medltating on
the fact OF being there, and would,
therefore be some alienation at least.
Having tasted the old mans liquor
already he realized the inevitable con-
sequence OF taking more Of It, not be-
ing used TO 1t, but even that did not
terrify him. He drank with the 9TH
ers. but he took only a very small
drink.
Lending Up to Game.
Meantime the old man exchanged
BASSETT GETS-GAL TWO SUNDY.
meaning looks with Jim BIaisdell and
Jake Winterbottom, who were Of tho
party, and Jake, catching his mean
ing said, as he set his glass back,
'Mebbe 1t mought be worth while TO-
to put off that game TIL alter Joe and
the gent is done Token their exercise,
Jim"
But Jim said: mo. We uns en-
start 1t goin an they en- set in later
If they likes. They's done been en-
sidablo valyable time lost already, an
we en- play three-handed till they're
through, thouten tho old manll set
in TO spell just to be sociable, an
make 1t fo'-handed.
But the old man said: 81 reckon /
won't play tonight Three o. yoIl be
enough TO to start in, an mon likely
Joe an the gentll be through by the
time things gifts 'xcitin'. Yo' all want
thinkin' o hghtin' long. was your" he
added. turning TO the stranger.
We'll. that d'pends," said the stran-
ger. II want thinkin' flghtin at
all, but pears like they is some call
TO 1t, an reckon this gentll have
to be satisfied, first off. Pears like
It'd be mo- nachul like TO to set in
at the game afo' mixin'.. Likely they'll
be mo TO fight about II it's poker
what's gwine to be played"
That's spoke like n man." ex-
claimed old man Groenlaw with great
satisfaction. Joe pears TO be some
het up, but l reckon he amt in no
gret hurry. Be yo', Joe?"
Bassctt Decides to Yield.
Mr.. Bassett was not much given to
speech, but It was evident from his
manner that he was not greatly
pleased lie had been willing enough
TO foregO his favorite amusement for n
time when the old man had set 'em
up hut the greater delay involved in
playing poker was little to hi staste
lie was not, however. entirely desti-
tute OF fine feelings and perceiving
the possibility of pecuniary gain in
the postponement he yielded, albeit he
did so ungraciOusly.
Have II yo' own way" he said.
Struggling his massive shoulders. and,
picking up his coat, he went with the
others into the little room back of the
saloon.
The stranger tagged along without
haste but with no evident reluctance.
He seemed. indeed. to have little in
terest in the proceedings, but TO be
willing enough for anything that
might happen. They studied him care
fully without appearing to do so, as
was their custom when about 10 be-
gin game, but they were unable to
form definite conclusions. on the one
hand he looked entirely capable OF
looking after himself in almost any
emergency, as has been said already,
but on the other hand there was a
listlcssness in his bearing that indi-
Gated an utter lack OF relish for his
surroundings 1t was as il in fishing
for bluefish they had hooked a cod
They saw no pui aspect of rousing him
TO excitement, no matter how the
game might go.
His Capital Seemed Ample.
Nevertheless, he took his seat at the
table readily enough and did not balk
when the old man demanded 500 as
the price Of a stack. Moreover, they
saw that he did not by any means ex-
haust his available capital when he
handed over the money. There was
therefore a possibility that his very
indifference might prove advantageous
to them. And they were all actuated
by high resolve to make it exciting
for him II they could.
Accordingly, they started the game
with no apparent regard to the none
tary value attaching to the chips they
were using, blufFlng one another out
rageously when the stranger refused
TO stay and pretending little caution
IN their play even when he Joined in
the contest 1t could not he said that
he seemed greatly stirred by these
tactics. but they noted with satisfac-
tion that he played. whenever he did
play, with as little thought as they Of
the size Of his bets, but presently n
climax developed
1t came from Bassett presuming too
far on the strangers insouciance. No
body had ever criticised Mr.. Bassett
openly. His behavior in physical en-
counters was beyond cavil but In a
game Of poker there was perhaps a
shade too much OF recklessness in his
maneuvers. and though his friends
fnrehore 10 comment on It they real
lied that It involved a certain peril.
They saw-indeed they could not
avoid sceing-that he was a little
careless in the way he took card
that Pearsall handed over TO him after
I tho draw