Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-10-03
WARNiIlGA
SERPENT
By r. A. Mitchell

In the mluQle OF the nineteenth cen
fury the Mississippi river was thor
oughfare for palatial steamboats, ply
ing between the south and the north
west In those days the western peo-
pie were more prone to gamble than
now, and these steamers were used by
professional "blacklegs," who reaped
a rich harvest from confiding persons
who were enticed by various schemes
to play.
One morning several young men from
st. Louis were standing about table
at which sat professional gambler
and rawboned countryman from the
interior Of Missouri. The onlookers
were friends and had often played a
friendly gentlemen's game Of poker to-
gether at each others home and prid-
ed themselves on being exceedingly
skillful thereat They noticed that the
gambler was purposely losing his mon
ey to the greenhorn, evidently with the
intention Of drawing him on to play
for higher stakes, when he would take
all the cash bis opponent possessed
Presently the two were notified that
the tables must be set for dinner, and
they were obliged to cease playing. the
gambler exacting promise that he
would be given a chance for revenge
during the afternoon.
The party of st. Louisans knew well
that the countryman would be cleaned
out and regretted to see him made a
victim. One Of them was deputed to
so to him and explain the gamblers
game. The countryman was not con-
vinced. At any rate. he declared that
he had passed the word Of a Mis-
sourian to give the man whose money
he had won his revenge and be would
keep the promise.
Then his would be benefactors con-
cluded that they would ask him to play
q small game with them before sitting
down with the gambler, designing to
win his money and hand 1t back to
him, exacting his promise not to risk
1t again to any one during the trip.
He said that he had promised to play
with the man whose money he had
won during the morning. but had not
promised to play with any one else
before doing so: therefore he felt that
it would be honorable for him to &C
cept the invitation.
As soon as the dinner dishes were
cleared away the St Louisans and the
countryman sat down at table and
began their game While they were
at It the gambler came along and. Sec
ing that his victim had been taken
from him, berated him soundly. The
countryman excused himself on the
ground that he would give the gambler
his revenge before the afternoon had
passed. and the st. Louisans volunteer
ed to give him up at 4 o'clock p. m.
This did not allay the gamblers ire.
and for a time 1t was feared that there
would be fight between him and the
Missourian. However, the gambler
finally quieted and left the party, say
Ing that be should expect his revenge
from the other at 4 O'Clock
The st. Louisans did not proceed to
win the greenhorn's money all at once,
fearing to Brighten him OF before they
had saved 1t all for him. They per-
mitted him to win several pots. then
glanced at one another the signal to
begin operations at once. They intend
ed to play a fair game, believing that
they could by skill accomplish their
object
But about the time they were ready
to win the mans money he became
possessed of several remarkable hands.
With tens full on aces he won pot Of
$50. the next highest hand being full
sevens ON queens Then he took
large jack pot with four deuces. Be-
fore the St Louisans were aware OF
how the game was going he had taken
over 500 from them. From this their
loss ran up to $500, and the country
man was still winning.
The men who had taken pity on the
countryman began 10 feel that they
had warmed serpent In their bos-
oms. Where the MAS splendid hands
came from they could not divine. But
he did not always need good hands to
win. Whenever he bet high even II
he held low cards. be always Overtop-
ped the others.
Soon after he sat down to play a
man who looked like one Of the pas
sengers loitered by aad stopped to have
a look at the game. As 1t progressed
he seemed to be moe and more inter-
ested In 1t and maintained his position,
which was always behind one Of the
St Louisans, never behind the coun-
tryman. Suddenly one Of the former
threw down his hand, saying:
II reckon we've hsd enough Of this.
boys. I'm going to quit"
From his manner his friends were
satisfied that he had discovered some
thing wrong. and all rose from the Ia
BILE, leaving the cour tryman some ST.
500 winner. When they were out OF
hearing Of their intended beneficiary
the man who had cried enough was