The Colorado Gambler and The Lady (a story-poem series - written in Limericks) by Toni D. Helfrick   (This series is best read in sequential order as listed) “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 1 “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 2 “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 3 “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 4 “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 5 “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 6 “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 7 and the conclusion     “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 1 The gambler, he needed a rest His cards he played close to his vest He’d had too much whiskey But didn’t feel frisky Come morning, he’s heading for West. He saw from the window and how His time to get moving was now He packed all his stuff The money? Enough. With coffee and bread, he’d go now. The gambler looked pale at the thought That a ticket to ride need be bought But can he ride the stage- An old man, at his age? Just look at the trouble he’s wrought. He purchased a ticket to ride Going westward was good for his pride- So he rode on the stage No matter what age- The lady next to him, he eyed! Now she was a lovely old gal- He liked her, and soon, was her pal The gambler works fast ‘Cause nothing will last’ He smiled to himself for a while. The lady, intrigued by the gent, Fell in love, and she’d go where he went They were just ‘girl and boy’ And the lady was coy- Yet, she knew that he hadn’t a cent. The gambler, he looked at her jewels, The two of them, both were just fools The lady was sure She’d seen him before He just doesn’t play by the rules. © Toni D. Helfrick   “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 2 The ride made them both very sore And lots of things fell on the floor! He told her they’d dine- On nice food and wine He was thinking, “I’m wanting some more.” The stagecoach will stop for the night He thought he’d had everything right And with his quick mind, He was charming and kind The lady? She smiled, she just MIGHT! The two of them shared some small eats And the lady was dreaming of meat- With just two in the carriage He’s thinking of marriage The lady? She STILL wants to eat! The gambler, he held her right hand She blushed, though she liked it now, and Ah, he looked at her rings- And, oh, other things! He was smitten, and thought she was grand. He helped her get down from the coach Such a fine, tiny waist and a brooch- The gambler was sure His mood looked demure But really, the gambler was gauche. The lady, she noticed his eyes And wondered if he was quite wise The gambler allayed Her fears to his maid- A pitcher of beer, he then buys… © Toni D. Helfrick   “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 3 The beer?  Oh, she said it was fine- She didn’t need fancy ol’ wine- They sat there and laughed For an hour and a half She told him they needed to dine. The gambler, was true to his word- He then called the barmaid, she heard, “We’re wanting to eat Can you find us a seat?” She said to them, “You’ll be the third.” So they each had a bit more of beer They may as well wait over here The privy she found After looking around And he paid for a room near the rear. The lady returned to her seat The gambler said, “Now we can eat” They went in to dine And yes, had some wine- And also, potatoes and meat. The gambler had coffee and pie The lady had sparkling nice eyes, “I’m sipping my wine And it makes me feel fine” She giggled and looked at the guy. A long day of riding they had But surely, they didn’t feel sad The gambler, he’d smile For just a short while, He knew he was gonna be BAD! © Toni D. Helfrick   “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 4 The lady sure seemed to be drunk In fact, she was drunk as a skunk He plopped her in bed Took the brooch, then he fled- To the Pawnshop- they said it was “junk!” The gambler, crestfallen that day, He planned on the pawnshop to pay “Oh, it isn’t the same- I can’t play in the game” He needed a stake just to play! Now what is he going to do- When the lady wakes up, and they’re through? He sat on the can, His head in his hands, But she owned more jewelry, that’s true. He looked through her things and he found There WAS lots of jewelry around- If he pawned some today, Might be winnings to pay- He’ll buy back her jewels, they’ll be ‘found.’ An organized thinker was he Who knew what his next plan might be- It was always the same- Greedy mind on the game He played all night, poker, you see. The lady got up in the morn Feeling scared, and also forlorn- “He took all my jewels!” He won’t play by the rules- She was livid, her anger was born! The gambler just strolled in at nine Saying, “Sorry, you sat here to whine” She kept it inside, The anger and pride- But she knew she’d get even, in time! The lady knew where her jewels went, He cashed it for poker, it’s spent- And she remained steady Until she was ready- And she kept all her letters, and sent… © Toni D. Helfrick   “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 5  The lady, she launched her ‘attack’ “Come on now, we both have to pack!” The gambler was weary Along night, eyes bleary She said, “The stage WILL take us back.” The gambler, he jumped from his bed Her words, well, they jolted his head! “The coach lost a wheel, And the company feels- It’s better to turn back, instead.” The gambler, he put on his shoes He wasn’t sure what he should do It seems he was lost He is ALWAYS the Boss Perhaps, a nice breakfast might do. So while he was sitting there meek, She half-smiled and quick, turned her cheek For, he shouldn’t see Her brief levity- “WE’RE GOING TO SEE CRIPPLE CREEK!” The gambler said, “What do you mean?” That Cripple Creek isn’t so keen! “The place is just fine- Fine food and nice wine” Said the lady, “It’s time we should dream.” The gambler, he then took her hand He said, “Dear, I do understand,” He’d been there before And there’s poker galore! She’d hidden the grin with her fan. And so, they took off to the East On the stage where he met her, at least Her jewels on the way In a package, today “But, he’ll never know, though, the BEAST!” © Toni D. Helfrick   “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 6 The lady was cunning and wise- But he couldn’t get how to read ‘eyes’ She lived with a ‘pro’ And, learned well, you know- Her face was just a disguise. And in Cripple Creek, they’ll be there, soon Both were tired, and thought of SALOON! He had enough dough, But it was Hers, though- They entered, and rented a room. The gambler had nothing to pawn Except his gold watch, this was wrong Her jewelry, he’d taken- Already mistaken, He’ll surely have winnings by dawn. So he pawned his gold watch from his Dad- If his Dad were alive, he’d be MAD! With some of the loot He bought a new suit The gambler was really a cad. The lady just watched, as they’d bring The beer, as each thought of their ‘thing’ Yes, he sure is a crook, And the lady, she looked- She thought she’d outsmart him, ‘the KING’. The gambler, he hadn’t a clue There were things she had sure to do- He was happy with money And thought he was funny- But the lady had other plans, too. And so, she awaited her cue, She got a job serving some brew It gave her some money, Not shared with her “honey”, He still never had him a clue! © Toni D. Helfrick   “THE COLORADO GAMBLER and The Lady” - part 7 and the conclusion Next morning, a knock at the door She jumped out of bed to the floor- “Ma’am, there’s mail here for you” She thought, “What should I do?” “I’ll pick up the mail, then, for sure.” The gambler and lady, they ate She thought of her mail, could not wait! He asked about mail “Oh, a letter from Gail” The gambler, he then took the bait. The lady, she thought of her plans To get all her mail from “The Man”- It was money, you see, “And jewelry for me!” She covered her smile with her fans. The lady, she thought it all out Without any worry or doubt, Her name, it is Alice- And she’s filled with malice The gambler, she can do without! She put all her money away, In a safe place, the Bank, it will stay Along with her money She’ll surprise her ‘honey’ Cause he’s at “The Tables” today! The gambler was having a night- He seemed to do everything right! His heart, doing flips, As he looked at his chips He couldn’t sleep all through the night. The lady was up, all forlorn And he woke, his thoughts of her torn- “I don’t need a gal, Or a girl for a pal” She pretended that she was just worn. ~*~ conclusion (Ouray is pronounced "you RAY") “I’ll Leave Cripple Creek for Ouray,  Cause, I want to leave here, today,” “More jewels, I have found-  They were sewn in my gown! And now, I’ll be going away.” Miss Alice, she learned and she found The folks doing bad, it comes ‘round “The Gambler, I’d say- This isn’t his day!” And, soon I’ll be southerly bound. Her savings she packed in her sack Cause she wasn’t coming on back The jewels he saw He wanted them all! She sold them, the Gambler paid back. To Alice, he said a goodbye There wasn’t a tear in her eye I think he was sad He wished he was mad He knew what he lost, as he sighed. “I outsmarted the Gambler, I’d say! But, I needed to learn how, his way.” “You need to outsmart- When they play on your heart, This sure will be lots of fine days!” He ran with the jewels in a sock The pawn shop, they said, “This is ROCK”!! And who knows that day Just what did he say? “I guess that I taught her a lot.” (Actually, SHE TOOK HIM FOR GRANITE!)  © Toni D. Helfrick   “Another Day” - story-poem series “River For the Lonely” - story-poem series Other Story-Poems by Toni Poetry by Toni D. Helfrick Essays by Toni Short Stories by Toni   Website Home Page