This is a collection of brief stories, in a six-panel comic strip format, about a group of Teddy Bears who drink sarsaparilla, play pinochle and get into adventures at the Buckhorn Saloon (modeled after the Buckhorn Saloon in Pinos Altos, New Mexico...
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The Pinochle games were in full swing at the Buckhorn.
Ralphie and Michael went up to Madame Zima. "Could you teach us Pinochle?" they asked.
"I never thought you'd ask!" she replied.
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She first explained the deck. "There are 48 cards. Each suit goes from 9 to Ace—and there are two of each card, like two 10s of Diamonds and two Queens of Spades."
"That's strange," said Michael.
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"You think that's strange!" laughed Madame Zima. "Each 10 is second highest, right below the Ace!"
"That is strange!" agreed Ralphie, laughing till he fell over.
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Madame Zima carefully explained about tricks, meld, the points in the play, and the bidding to name trump.
The two young Bears looked a little puzzled. "That seems kind of complicated," they said.
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"Oh, you'll get the hang of it," she replied. "Just play! But...," she hesitated, "the secret is...."
"Yes?" they wondered.
"Bid!" she exclaimed. "Don't be timid!"
It took a moment for them to recover.
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So, they jumped right in, and—after about three hands, they were beating Madame Zima!
"You guys are too smart," she grumbled. But behind her mask, there was a twinkle in her eye.
