This year has already made my 2025 Christmas shopping plans easier next fall. Why? Read on.
“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
This package finally arrived by the end of January, better late than never. Santa is known to be punctual but in Canada I bet he was strong armed by the law to acquiesce service to CanadaPost and the CBSA to deliver the goods. Bloody government over reach rather than, "for the safety of the Canadian public." Our politicians don't deserve even a lump of coal, since it will be Carbon taxed anyway.
Rant done.
Okay, let's turn the happy Christmas back on 🎄 and dig into this package!
And the first item we have is...
Next items...
Chronicles of the Bloody Raven: The Gambler’s House, Chapter 16.
Perkinston, California Gold rush, 1849
As the evening carried on into the later hours most saloon patrons and guests soon crowded the doorway of the parlor watching hand after hand as the players more or less took turns claiming their winnings.
The Prospector nervously rolled his lucky nugget between the fingers of his calloused hands. @brian.rrr let out a faint sigh as the Sheriff was flipped a ten of Spades for his hand. Sheriff Bailey’s eyes remained unreadable leaving everyone to second guess his next course of action based on the odds on the open cards already played, “I call Judge Perkin’s ten dollars.” His fingers unstacks a line of gold coins counting aloud, “One, two, three and four.” Coronet head quarter eagles.
“Sheriff Bailey calls on his pair of Tens!” The Dealer proclaims, “Judge Perkins’ shows a pair of Kings with a ten dollar bet, your turn Ms. Maloney.”
Then all eyes shifted to the dark lady. Her four and Six of Hearts suggests and inside straight with two other Fives already played leaving very little chance of the Five of Clubs available in the deck at the right place. Tracy folded back her black laced left sleeve revealing a gold bracelet, unfasten the clasp then gently placed it upon the table, “I’m afraid I must play this bracelet, I’d hate to break up this set therefore I raise the Judge’s bet another $7.50 in gold.”
Now for the shiny…
The saloon crowd gasped.
Brian’s lips pursed in concern.
Argenta shifted in her chair, shook her head and whispered within earshot of Brian, “With that weak hand? I hope she knows what she is doing.” By habit she checked for her pistol which was usually strapped in a specific manner under her bustle but it reminded her that her old faithful was checked at the saloon door for the house’s safety rules and reasons. She mulled again over her aged frailty. After thirty years with her travel companion she is now concerned of her advancing years had finally taken it’s toll, she’s not as quick on the draw as she used to be. She could have saved them but couldn’t, “I’m not fast enough.”
Not one but two silver rounds...
“Ma’am?” His hand hesitated over the bracelet, Tracey nodded her permission to the Dealer. Mr Crinch looked Tracy in the eye, he was also the town’s Jeweler picked up the bracelet to examine the with his eye glass. “Mighty fine work here Ms. Maloney seven Coronets with 20 Karat gold links and clasp, I say this is good for a little more than eighteen dollars easy.”
The dealer glanced to the players for their approval; Mr. Morgan the banker, Sheriff Bailey and Judge Perkins nodded approvingly followed by Mr. Queens, then Mr. Lee. And then to Saloon owner Mr. Everett nodded having the final say under his house rules.
“Ms. Maloney raises eight dollars on her possible inside straight against Judge Perkins pair of Kings”, proclaimed the Dealer.
But Wait, there’s more…
Santa, you're full of surprises. Sending some love 💋
Judge Perkins chuckled, thinking about the Lady’s absurd bet, “That’s why women should not play cards. As I insisted It’s not child’s play Ma’am.“ He drew another long puff from his cigar. “But should you fall into indebtedness I believe I can put you into a more pleasurable means to pay it off in personal services.”
“Excuse me ma’am.” Mr. Queens belched as he motioned for another whiskey refill for his empty shot glass, “Give Ms. Maloney the benefit of the doubt Judge, the game isn’t over yet. She’s a big gal and she can take care of herself.”
“Why, no disrespect is intended sir. “ The Judges teeth stretched a malicious grin behind the large mustache,. “I do take an interest in Ms. Maloney’s well being rather than see her blow her own brains out like the many unfortunate past souls before her who lost everything fair and square..." The judge rapped his knuckle on the table top, "...at this table. I wish to spare her the discomfort; I hate to see any fine woman go to a tragic waste when this fine California town needs women."
To be continued...
And, thank you Santa 🎅 for the ideal. My brother is a recreational Poker player, so for Christmas 2025 I will be getting him a little stack of silver bullion poker chips! ♥️♠️♦️♣️
Stacking Hive, Precious metals and fun for those dark & stormy days!
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #silvergoldstackers pirates to proudly showcase their shiny booty and plunder for all to see. Landlubbers arrrh… welcomed to participate and be a Pirate at heart so open yer treasure chests an’ show us what booty yea got!
Related Post(s)
My Monster Raffle Winner.
References & Sources
Photos are my own shot with an ancient 2018 Samsung SM-A530W or otherwise indicated.
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️🌞
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
The 2024 Hive 0.999 Silver Round.
Pirate Carrds are by artist Don Maitz of www.paravia.com of the United States Playing Card Company, Erlanger, KY 41018
Physical precious metals bullion stacking is only a part of my personal overall financial strategy. Meanwhile, collecting numismatics are a different set of objectives and strategy. Unless you are a complete nutcase as I am please, do your research before deciding to buy into any bullion or numismatic products.
