A GAME OF CARDS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2128, 23 October 1896, Page 3

A GAME OF CARDS.

Some years ago, fifteen or twenty, maybe, at one of the posts in the Far West there was a colonel in command whose fame as an Indian fighter was undeniable, and even passed muster in the States. His courage and sagacity had been proved a hundred times ; he was big and strong, and gentle. The red men called him the "Great Chief," and were mortally afraid of him. His own men only called him "The Chief."' and they adored him. But he couldn't play cards: which was a pity, as there was nothing else to do when the Indians are quiet. All the other officers could, very well the most of them; and, as it was their only amusement they naturally preferred that he should not spoil the game. Particularly the captain objected, for he played exceedingly well, and with an enthusiasm that was almost too pronounced, unless one took into consideration the total absence of other forms of entertainment. A man who couldn't play cards was a very poor sort of man in his eyes, and n man who was superbly fearless and yet entirely modest was one to be jealously admired, but none the less intensely hated. There was also a nice young lieutenant of two-and -twenty who played poker very well: not so well as the captain, perhaps, but lie had a gay. boyish and rather provoking way of being wilfully lucky that made- him a very fair adversary, lie and the captain were deep in it one night, and things were growing interesting. The lieutenant was laughing now and again excitedly: the captain's face was white and drawn, and bis hands shook a little. Winter quarters are made as comfortable as possible in a rough-and-ready fashion, anil when there is a woman in the case they are generally attractive enough: for a soldier's wife learns many a makeshift, and marvellous effects'can be got with boxes and barrels, some straw, and a few yards of muslin and colored stuffs. But the captain's rooms were bare enough, and when the colonel knocked and was abruptly fold to "come." the dreariness of it all hit him hard, and he built up the neglected tire without ceremony before he strolled over to the table and drew up a chair. At the first pause in the game he invited himself to join in. The captain rather gruffly invited him not to. for. as I said before, cards were not his strong point: but when the young lieutenant incautiously suggested that the stakes were rather high. he laughed his mellow lough, and said he had a few dollars <o lose; so. since, even when off duty and playing poker, a soldier cannot shake off a certain obedience to his superior officer, he got his way. But the captain's brow grew black, and his hand stopped shaking. The game went on for half an hour or so with no unusual incident. The colonel bungled his cards, and lost his money, but lie was accustomed to that. He never could be made to understand that poker was anything more than a pastime, and so he laughed his low laugh, and played on. After a while the captain threw the cards under the table and took a new pack "for luck." Half a dozen officers had dropped in. and were looking on. but nobody objected :ir was the custom. It came, the colonel's 'urn to deal. With his usual gentle smiling awkwardness, he fumbled the oaVds. dealt them. and. when, ii came to Ids own hand, dropped one {■'■' them on the door. Without looking, he stooped and gathered a card from under the table. I lis face brightened. The captain sent a quick look at him. and his face went whiter than ever. The hand was played, out, and the colonel won. With an almost child-iike laugh of pleasure, he put out his hand to draw in his winnings, when the captain sprang to his feet, and brought his own baud down on the cards. "Gentlemen. I denounce this man as a cheat!" He lifted his hand, and there was one blue back among the red ones scattered over the table. In the turmoil that followed, the colonel was almost dragged out of the room by his friends and got away. Of course there was nothing for it but to fight. His friends, and they were many, waited for his orders. But. after the first burst of rage, he seemed stupefied ; he sat perfectly silent, starim: straight in front of him. Finally his fellow-officers spoke. He must do something. A challenge was written. sent, and—declined. There was an uproar of indignation. Not only the colonel's lienor, but the honor of the army was at stake. He must horsewhip the man. since lie would not iigin; there was nothing else for it. So they talked and argued, excitedly, sternly, and the colonel listened dully, and said. Yes. he must horsewhip him. lie stayed indoors that nigh!, and the post talked of the morning. At ten o'clock the next day the troops were drawn up in line, ready for parade. The captain stood in front of his company. Every man and woman at the post was there, to see "The Chief" horsewhip the scoundrel who had dared to insult him. The excitement was intense: there was a deathlike s! illness, and every eye was strained as the colonel walked slowly across the parade-ground. His face was white and stern, and his step firm and deliberate: in his hand was a I twisted leather whip such as teamsters use in driving mules. The captain saw him coming, and stood like a rock, with his arms folded, and a cold smile of unutterable contempt and malignant hatred on his face. When his adversary stopped in front of him. he raised his head. and. without changing his position, looked him straight in the eyes, his black and evil face set in an expression of devilish scorn. With a gesture of • nolde indignation, the colonel raised his whip in the air. held it poised a moment, and then the brave soldier, the superb gentleman, shrank back weakly, dropped his whip to the ground, and buried his face in his hands. Then he turned. ' went back to his quarters, and shut the door behind him. A few hours later, in sheer pity, some of his friends went to him: but the door was locked. The next day he left the post, and a few days later resigned from the army.—"Lippincott's Magazine."