Stand Pat; Or, Poker Stories from the Mississippi

** "Stand Pat; Or, Poker Stories from the Mississippi" by David A. Curtis is a compilation of fictional narratives set in the vibrant gambling scene that flourished along the Mississippi River during the early 1900s. The tales center around the high-stakes poker games held in towns like Brownsville, where larger-than-life personalities such as the wealthy Long Mike, his dependable foreman Gallagher, and an assortment of eccentric locals gather to test their luck and skill at the poker table. The stories capture the lively and often humorous interactions among the characters and their intense competitiveness, especially the importance of the riverboat arriving. The narrative focuses on the comedic absurdity of the poker culture as a new set of cards introduces an unexpected poker hand. Ultimately, the short stories establish the central theme of the community of poker players in Brownsville. **