Georgia Historic Newspapers

    good poker stories.
.VItEBSIINO JAUS3 ABOUT TEE
GREAT GAME.
BU ly Florence Recalls Rome Very
Exciting Moments - Kx-Governor
Foster of Ohio Tellaofa Poker Game
That Was Only a Game of Euchre-
Comedian De Wolf Hopper TeUs of a
Game That Would Cause Any Man
to Lose Faith in Human Nature-
Editor Frank HattOD, Smith M.
Weed, Capt. Billy Connor, the Mexl
can Onyx King. Max O’Bell, and
Others Relate Their Experience.
fOoj -Uriah tei, 1890 )
New York. July 26.—N0 game is likely
to succeed the great American game of
draw p her, and at this season of the year
it serves to while away an idle hour oa the
rail, in the mountain camp, on the deck of
the becalmed yacht, or in the dull watches
of the seaside hotel. If all the good poker
stories that have been told could be collect
ed and out in book form, the result would
be a volume of, absorbing interest. Be.ow
will be found a few good stories told by
men whose names are household words:
BILLY FLORENCE TELLS SOME GOOD
STORIES.
“While poker is considered a national
game I must confesss,” said Billy Florence,
the actor, "that I have seen it played
cbieflv in'an international way, i. e., on
board’ British steamships carrying Ameri
can passengers. 1 only play cards en route
to Europe to pass away the time —nothing
else and then Ido not gamble. Once, some
■years ago, I was playing a theatrical en
gagement in Louisville, Ky., and I was in
vited to visit and participate in a late sup
per aft-’r tto performance was over. Among
those i'h'> were to be at the supper was the
noted editor, Henry Watterson. The
theatrical performance was very long,
and it was getting near midnight when I
arrived at the bachelor apartments. I
had no sooner arrived than I noticed some
little excitement among the gentlemen
present. It seems that a game of draw had
ended and a count was being made of
moneys. I had no alternative but to wait
developments, and they came soon enough.
A big dispute arose across the table and in an
instant Watterson was on his feet, pistol in
band, and trying to aim at his antagonist,
a well-known gentleman. I knew that
blood was goii g to be shed right there, so I
jumped up and threw my arms around the
editor. Others caught his arm and kept it
up so if the pistol was discharged it would
only damage the ceiling.
“The other gentleman was ferocious, and,
although he was held by strong men I
thought he would bleak loose every second
and fire right into us. Great beads of toer
spiration stood out upon my forehead. I
pleaded with the Keutuckian not to shoot—
that bo would regret it. The more I pleaded
and tried to keep his pistol arm up, tho
more h attempted to break away. Every
instant I expected to hear tho craclc, c. act
of revolvers and 10 see the reeling form of
a gentleman perforated with a large bullet.
I pictured the direful consequences and
the blame. The latter would partially,
at least, rest upon me, because I
was the guest of the evening and
the gathering was in my honor. In
our struggle to keep the two men apart,
tables were overturned, chairs were
knocked down and the money on the table
somehow disappeared like magic. Finally
I caught Watterson’s pistol in my hand,
and then the lamentable truth flashed like
an electric shock through me, to wit: I
was being guyed and the whole fight was
concocted to fool me. The pistol was
nothii g but a bootjack, one that is small
and when folded resembles the shape of a
pistol. I was eompieiely taken in and I
need scarcely say that the ‘smiles’ were on
toe. That was the most exciting game of
poker that I ever indulged in.
“A funny game of poker was played in
Texas just at the beginning of the war.
Col. Jack W., who afterward lived in New
Orleai.s, was the hero of this poker story.
He was colonel of a Texas regiment that
had just been mustered int > tho service.
They had been in camp some time when it
was discovered that about half tho men in
the regiment were rather straight-lacod and
orthodox in their views, while the other
half were fond of sport, cards, dice, dog
fights and any game of chance. One night
a thundering big game of draw poker was
going on in the colonel’s shanty. Candles
were lit and five men sat around an impro
vised table, deeply absorbed in the game, and
betting largely but cautiously. A good
deal of money was in the jack-pot when
Col. W. opened it for S2O. Three others
stood the open and one passed out, leaving
only four to draw. Now the colonel by some
miracle of luck held a full hand. Just as
ti e dealer asked him how many cards he
would take, there came a rap at the door
and a voice asking if Col. W. was in. There
was no mistaking the voice of the chaplain,
and in a second every candle was extin
guished. The colonel whispered: ‘Don’t
touch the pot or move a card until I get
nd of him.’ He went to the door and the
chaplain came partly in. The colonel held
the door with one hand and with the other
he kept a tight grip upon his five wiuning
cards. After the interchange of a few
words the chaplain said in a mournful
voice:
" 'Well, kernel, the boy is dead and we
want to give him a big military funeral.’
ike boy was a young man who catne from
the upper part of Texas and enlisted when
the regiment was first organized. He was a
good soldier and a veteran, although no
battle or skirmish had been thrust upon the
regiment. The colonel wanted the bov to
kavo a military funeral, and told the cliap
lain to go ahead and do it in style. Then
he whispered aside to the four plavers not
to touch or disarrange the cards. Instead of
going, the ch iplam dallied to get informa
tion about a military funeral. No\?, under
ordinary circumstances the colonel would
have kept the caud!e3 lighted and per
mitted the game to go on, but ho was
elected colonel on the strength of being verv
t’raight-laced, and he did not wish to ap
pear in a different guise to his constituents,
at least, cne-half of them.
‘Ain’t music used, kernel, in a military
funerali” asked the chaplain.
“The colonel said: ‘Yes, waltz him off
with fiddles and drums.’ Aud added that
ttie body would be borne on the shoulders of
four or six soldiers. In fact, the colonel was
not so well posted himself. It was the first
military funeral in Texas during the con
federacy.
kpj. 'j we £t>t 1° shoot over his grave,
“ Yes, I think tbat is the correct military
C °u?, la s,lcil cases,’ replied the colonel.
' 'by this time the strain upon the colonel’s
Patience was so great he could hardly re
ira.n from slamming the door iu the chap
iain s face. '
“ ‘Ain’t we—— ’
"It is a jackpot. I opened. O, yes, the
,‘- v deserves a grand military send off.
ch ®P aln ,’ sa ‘d the colonel.
I never heard of a jackpot funeral,
“'ll; sa ' d chaplain innocently.
''Veil, I have, and they are expensive,
p r ’, ut that is not the kind the boy need
a ?£ concluded the colonel.
r . ,i i0 chaplain went away and the colonel
raked ln a hundred or two on his full hand,
and!!., ® Kamo continued all night. About
f,'„>‘lSht the players heard the military
( . ~i T a . mojing, and it was almost a non
, t'Pt affair. Three fiddles, two snare
tiinv-a a b r aßß trumpet and a triangle
- id the funeral dirge in a livelv wav.
the tune played on the fiddles was
" , *n 1 Left Behind Me,’ and the drums
merely Th ln Wlth
in tvA The , l,and waß in a wag ,n
nt T "Jl aml the procession moved
wL d " Ublr ‘ ' ftiiek time. The body
M, ~a s { nall wagon drawn by three
dmil i a ? tnules. Iho military escort had
and m n rrel •**>“•. Mississippi rifles
fll , nt lad1 ad ,tßel hluuderbusees. It
ey . procasiioa, and as it
4Uick d headquarters atdouble
‘luitk tun* the latter was betting |W mol
on a pair of sevens. Just as he
raked in tue money he heard a tremendous
volley, followed by two more a few
m -mc-nts theroafter. Tno boy was buried,
the colonel won all the money at the poker
table and the chaplain to this day thinks
the colonel never threw a card in bis life.
Neither funerals nor rumors of war oau stop
a big game of poker when it gets under full
swiu.”
EX-GOVERNOR FOSTER’S STORY.
“I am not much on poker, but of course I
know a little something about the game.”
says ex-Goveraor Charis Foster of Ohio.
“The fuuuiest game of poker that I ever
beard of was really a game of euchre.
Alter tho five cards Had been dealt a He
brew evinced more than ordinary emotion,
aud fi iallj’ blurted out: ‘lf uis vos only
pokaire. I'd make dot purse of yours git
empty.’ His oppone.it replied that
ne was perfectly willing to play
the hand as a poker one if the
former would give a queen from his
hand. Immediately the Hebrew took a
queeu from his hand a >d chee fully gave it
to his opponent. The betting was rather
high, several thousand dollars being staked
ui>on the result. H'heu tho Hebrew called
his opponent Quietly showed four aces and
the queen, which overmatched the four
kings held by tho former. There was some
laughter at the Hebrew’s expense, but he
could not see it. He said: “Yv did ze man
take ze queen? It vos foolish mit him to do
so.’ Any poker player blindfolded, of
course, could see the point.”
TOM OCHILTREE’S BIG GAME.
“One of the largest games of poker I ever
heard of was played by Col T. Porterhouse
Ochiltree,” says ex-Congressman Wise of
Virginia. “The aburn-haired Texan was
then upholding the dignity of a large por
tion of Texas as a represent itive in con
gress. Occasionally he devoted a few even
ing hours to the seductive game of poker
with a nuinDer of congenial congressmen.
One morning Col. Ochiltree appeared among
his colleagues looking r ither fatigued, but
bis conversational animation was in
no measure impaired. He said in his off
hand way: ‘Well, I have had a great
night with the boys. I never played such a
game of poker before in all my life. For a
time it looked as if I were going to be a
second Monte Cristo. The gold of that old
dreamer Tantalus began to pile up in
reality before me. 1 bet often, and 1 bet
heavily-, aud I won. It was a great game
and 1 shall never forget it as long as 1 live.
Yes, I lost #15,000 when the game ended.
Gentlemen, the worst part of it was that
$lO was in cash!’ When Tom finished
there was unbridled hilarity, of course,
and no one doubted his thrilling poker
story.”
DE WOLF HOPPER HAS BEEN THERE.
Do Wolf Hopper, the comedian, says:
“Talk about getting frothy, eating easel, as
‘Hamlet’ said, and losing faith in mankind:
I saw a casb in point last season. Now if
there is any kind of (i game that will bring
out one’s true nature and make a Quaker
roll off oaths faster than the fauiou-i troop
ers in Flanders it is draw poker. Ido not
speak as a coy neophyte, for I have dallied
wit i tho golden possibilities of a jack-pot
until my betting nerves have almost shaken
like a real Aspen tree.
“The opera company I was with last sea
son was en route for a city out west, and a
few of us whiled the tedium of tho journey
away by playing draw noker. Five were
in tho game, Eugene Oudin, Stevens, my
present manager, Cripps, Digby Beil anil
myself. The betting limit was $2, and I
can just tell the uniniciated that it and esn’t
take long to lose SSO or SIOO at a $2 limit.
Oudiu knew nothing about the game. He
knew when he had pairs, but he did not
know their betting value, ad so when be
would jmss out we breathed easier. It is
hard to bet against a green player. He is
liable to show up a big hand that would
paralyze the scientific player and upset all
calculations. A green poker player is like
a mule, you never know just w-heu or how
he is going to kick you, but sooner or later
3*>u get kicked.
“As the cars with their incessant rattle,
rattle and dumpty dump, dump, rushed
over miles of the tracks it became more and
more apparent that Oudin was one of the
most colossal verdant players that over shuf
fled a card. Imagine how Stevens, Digby
and I felt playing with an amateur that up
set all of our scientific calculations. Yes
we played and Bell was a loser. Naturally,
ho was champing on the bit, anxious to get
a big bet and retrieve his losings. The op
portunity came soon. A hand was
dealt aud the small antes put up.
All of us passed out except
Bell and Oudin. The former drew
three cards to two aces, and got two more
aces. A perspiration of delight gathered
upon Bell’s brow and jocularity almost
bubbled from him, so secure he felt in being
able to win back a large sum from Oudin.
Bell gathered up a number of chips, out
them down as if he was uncertain whether
to bet or throw up his hand, and finally, in a
nonciiallent way, pushed up a two-dollar
chip as a hit. His face assumed a serious
look, a serio-comic caricature study for an
artist as he watched Oudin. His idea was
that Oudin would raise him and he (Bell)
would keep coming back until he completely
swamped Mr. Oudin. The latter put down a
brand-new $2 bill and said: ‘I call you.’
Bell arose, throwing his four aces on the
table, and as he did so Oudin placed his
hand in view, revealing a king full, and on
the ting full Oudin had called Bell’s $2-bet.
Bell’s voice rose to a high pitch ns he
shouted: ‘There is no God!’ Then he ma ie
blue streaks in the atmosphere of the car,
and finally just one roar of blank, blaukety
blank oaths came from his lips. Four
dollais won on four aces! Ye men who
aspire to nobler things than bobtail flushes,
pause briefly and think of four aces cap
turing $2, and then prate of justice, luck
and hopeless lack of opportunities.
“Ah! but there are games and games.
One day the De Wolf Hopper family, con
sisting of mv wife and I, were playing
poker with several others for a small ante.
Tins is not going to be a funny story, al
though my wife won and kept the money
for our household expenses. I merely tell
this story to illustrate the peculiar freaks
of poker hands. The limit was $1 and the
game jack-pot poker. My wife opened for
sl, and I pluckily remained in on n thing,
and so did another venturesome geutlemau.
My wife stood pat, and I drew
one card aud the venturesome
gentleman drew one. Then the
betting began, and it was quite lively
for awnile. Ido not know but an intuitive
kind of a ieeling, a still, soft voice seemed
to whisper into my ear: ’De Wolf, you are
beaten all hollow; you are not in the game,
my boy,’ and yet in bravado I remained in.
Someone called and a show of hands was
made, revealing a curious coincidence:
We all had straights, and my wife, having
the highest, raked in that pot of money for
me and my heirs and assigns, forever.
But here comes the singular part of the
coincidence: I held the smallest
straight—one, two, three, etc., aud
so did the venturesome gentleman who
lost. I had an ace of hearts
deuce of spades, trey of diamonds —indeed,
a black and red straight, aud, strange to
say, the ventu esome gentleman had a
black and red straight, too. It was very
peculiar—a perfect freak—and I suppose I
might play draw poker until tue rirn of
time itself crumbled and fell into tho crater
of chaos and nothing, and yet never have a
band like it again, much less to have a
venturesome gentleman's to match it. Talk
about hoodoos and Jonahs, there are some
men who can’t sit at a poker table without
queering the cards. I could tell a tale—but
I hear my cue and must go on the stage to
serenade ‘Augelique.’ Poker is a relative
game—we all have our antes. Good-by.”
FRANK HATTON TELLS OF A FUNNY GAME.
Frank Hatton, ex-Postmaster General
and editor of the Washington Post, tells
this: “Poker? What a world of uncertainty
the word conjures up. It is a hopeful, evasive,
elusive, illusive, seductive aud time-absorb
ing game. Hoyle aid Gunter, indued all
great authorities, only treat of the game in
an empirical way. The science of how to
win at poker is simply to bold the biggest
hands wbeu called. I itnesed a fuuny
game of poker oue evening iu a big hotel in
New York city. Three or four guntlome.i
were sealed at the table iu a private room
THE MORNING .NEWS: SUNDAY, JULY 27, 1890-TWELVE PAGES.
playing a big game of jackp t poker. It
was one of those rattling, dashing games
that takes oat’s breath assy, espe
cially when one’s cosh is short.
May. Blank was one of the players,
and the way he won was aim st miracu
lous. Now, this major was in the habit
of saying what came to his mind, even at
the most critical moment of the game. A
big jackpot was opened and the major and
two others stayed in. One or two bets
were made and one gentleman dropped out,
leaving tho raaj r and a gentleman, who
had lost nearly all the evening, iu. It was
the major’s turn to say, and he bet heavily,
liis opponent had a small, sickly pile of
chips, the remnant of a pyramid, and he
gazod desparingly at them. Instead of
putting up his chips he began to scratch his
head with, one hand and meditate. The
major gazed at him anxiously, waiting to
see what he would do, call erthr w up his
hand. The head scratching continued, and
tho major’s patience was soon exhausted.
He half rose up in his chair and said in a
loud, determined voice: *We 1, sir, we are
telling chips, not wits, and you just stop
scratching your head.’ It was too much,
and the other player burst into laughter.
“The major raked in the jack-pot."
JAKE SHARP AND HIS FRIENDS UPSET.
“U ell, I have seo i some big poker games
at Albany while I was a i assemblyman,”
says Hon. Lilnk M. Weed. “Oue night I
saw Jim Morrissey lose in cold cash SIOO,OOO.
But the most amusing game of poker I
know of occurred during the war at the
Delavari house, Albany, in room 454. The
late Jacob Sharp, of Broadway surface rail
road notoriety, was the occupant of room
454, and lie sat around the table with Harry
Genet (Prince Hal), Henry Smith and
others whom Ido not care to mention. Of
course there was a great deal of war excite
ment and the federal forces were hammer
ing away at Richmond, Va. These poker
players were locked iu and betting heavily.
They were oblivious to war and rumors of
war w hile engaged in such an absorbing
game.
“The news came that Richmond had
fallen, and a certain assemblyman, whose
name is immaterial, rushed along the corri
dor with several others to the door of room
434. Finding it locked, in an instant the
assemblyman was boosted to the skylight or
transom just above the door. He got half
way in, balanced for a brief moment, and
without warning his friends Dushed him
headlong into the room. He fell right
across the center of the table, the chips flaw
in every direction, and $3,000 in bills
tumbled all over the floor. The legs of the
table snapped in two like straws, and the
lucky assemblyman was on ins feet in an
instant unhurt. At that monieDt the door
was pushed open, and before a dollar could
be piched up the room was filled with meu.
The poker players got their money, but
gre.it excitement prevailed, and much
amusement was extracted from the players
who, of course, did not fancy the rude wav
tbev were interrupted, even if Richmond
had fallen.”
MAX O’RELL TELLS OF A DRAMATIC SCENE.
“Poker I am not fumiliar with, although
I know it is a great American game. 1 re
member a ludicrous, and to me a highly
amusing incident that occurred at a gam
bling table w hile Iw as standing by. Dur
ing the Franco-1 russian war I was captured
and placed in a German prison. At oue
time several of us prisoners were paroled
for a few days and permitted to visit the
city of VYeisbaden. Big gambling was in
progress there then, and of course we siw
tho sights. Oio night I stood near a rouge
et noir table and watched a number bet
their money. A German w orkman stood
by betting small sums, winning
and losing with indifferent success.
Around went the little ball in the
slots of tho wheel of fortune, and long be
fore it had time to settle the workman had
put down all he bad, 500 fr ncs, on the red.
The black won, but before the croupier
could rake down the money tho workman
seized his 500 francs, and sayi g: ‘I wiil
not let my coildreu and wife starve; ’tis all
the money I have in the world,’ he rushed
out. The fellow’s action was intensely
dramatic aud natural, and yet the whole
scene iv as so ludicrous I could not refrain
from laughing heartily. For once the
nervy croupier did not know what to do.
He eat still in amazeineut and permitted the
poor w orkman to go away. No one be
grudged the workman his own money.”
HENRY WATTERSON’S GREAT NERVE.
J. M. Hill, manager of the St. James
hotel. New York city, says: “I never play
cards on general principles. Still, I know
what a game of i oker is if I should acci
dentally stumble on one. Now, as to rat
tling good players, who bet in a Napoleonic
way that fairly lifts the hair on a novice’s
head, I suppose that Henry Watterson of
Louisville, Ky., would tane the premium.
He is breezy, and has a dashy way that no
one can resist admiring. I heard of a game
of poker he played where he was sadly
caught on a big bluff. He was at the table
with J. P. Dougherty, whom everybody in
this city ought to know if they
do not, aud several other first-class
(flayers. The mere fact that Watterson was
in the gain i was sufficient to indicate
that now aud then big stakes were placed
on the table. It was jackpot poker, and
now and then tho put became alarmingly
large. But Watterson did not grow dizzy
and he bet with cavalier sang froid. The
fact is, the great editor’s poker nerve is the
admiration of thousands of players. His
face does r.ot change, no matter if he is
betting high on a bobtail flush. Someone
opened the jackpot and Watterson and
Dougherty came in, each drawing three
cards. When it came Watterson’s turn to
bet he coolly put up SIOO. The jackpot con
tained several hundred besides, anti no one
wanted to give up at once. But the assured
way in which the editor put up his bet
caused ali to drop out except Dougherty.
“He saw the bet and raised it another
hundred. Watterson never hesitated, but
went another hundred better. All the
others at the table began to feel sorry for
Dougherty, for they imagined that the
editor had a big winning hand and was
drawing his opponent on. After throe SIOO
bets had been made Dougherty, to the
astonishment of those present, called Wat
terson. The latter put his hand on the
table and showed that he had been betting
on a pair of deuces. Dougherty raked in
something like SI,OOO with a pair of sovei s.
Every oue present admired the editor’s
bluffing nerve, but great praise was be
stowed upon Dougherty for his unbounded
confidence in a pair of sevens. No one can
tell when Watterson is bluffing or betting
on a big hand, and that is ouereasou why
he is such a great player.
“When Mr. WaLon kept the St. James
hotel many years ago, he was very success
ful. He was like Midas, everything he
touched turned into gold. I was standing be
hind the office counter one day when John
T. Raymond suddenly entered the corridor
and met Mr. Walton, who was near the
counter. Without so much as shaking
hands, or saying how do you do? the actor
pulled out a #lO gold piece, slapped it down
on the top of thebr .ss register and called
out to Mr. Walton to match it. The latter
put down a $lO goM piece and won. Ray
mond then put down a #2O gold piece Bud
again lost. Well, to be brief, he stood
there in his tracks and lost #5,000 matching
with Walton. It did not take long, and he
walked out minus the sum stated.”
NO PLACE FOB A TENDERFOOT.
E. G. Woodford, official eugineeer in the
Transvaal, South Africa, says: “In the
city of Johannesburg, Transvaal, we have
some shrewd gamblers and men politely
known as sporting characters. Some big
games have been played in that city by
men who were not sports, but amateur
players lunging for excitement. New and
thou aud American would coine along and
clean out the gang and go away seve.al
thousand pounds richer. O.ie of our most
noted professionals is ‘lky’ Mounenburg, and
he plays a game that would make
a tenderfoot's hair stand on
end. There was a certain well-to-do
butcher in the city who became a great
poker player and who cleared out every one
who mot him around the (able. ‘lky’hud
beard that the butcher war a rattier and
bst to win every time, whether on a bluff
or a full hand, tine evening ‘iky’aud the
butcher sat down to a game together. There ,
| was considerable excitement among local
| sports to know the result of the gatue, and
; some wero present to witness the battle of
I chance or science, whatever draw p ker
! may be. ‘lky’ began to wiu from the start,
but the butcher was game and never once
showed tho white feather.
“Hundreds of dollars of the butcher’s
passe i over the table to ‘lky V pile, and it
seemed a one-sided affair. The last deal
‘lky’ drew three carls and tho butcher one.
They began to bet and the pot was large.
Finally ‘lky’ made a stiff bet of save a! hun
dred pounds, which, in tho crippled condi
tion of the butcher’s finances, almost stag
gered him. However, ho railed and bet
what money ho had and his bu'cher e-tab
lishiueat morel vto call Soanenherg. There
was an ominous silence iu tiie room
as the butcher said: ‘lky. what have
you gott’ The answer was one that puzzled
even old poker players: ‘Four kings and a
confidence card.’ ’What was a confidence
card?’ every one prevent echoed in mind.
Sonnenburg loofc-d looked at the butcher
and said again: ‘A confidence c mb’ With
that he shoved an ace, which ho designated
the confidence card because it made him
confident that the butcher did not have four
aces. The butcher paid all he hail in the
world t ) find out what Sonnonburg’s confi
dence card was.”
capt. billy' Connor’s thillixo story*.
“I lived in St. Louis some years ago, dur
ing the days when big games of poker were
p'.ayed on tho fine Mississippi steamers run
ning to New Orleans. Naturally I have
heard big poker stories of ante-bellum times,
where a negro or two wou'd he staked on a
band. I must confess, though, that lam
not a poker player, and have not lost any
time at ttio card table.”
So spoke Capt. Conner, of the St. Janies
hotel, John McCullough's old friend. “Po
ker is a good game to test one’s character,
aml the possibilities of tho bluff always loud
a daring charm to the game that other
wise would be lacking. Many years ago
a magnificent Mississippi river steamer was
on her way to New Orleans with a cabin
full of passengers going to witness Mardl
Gras. The usual brass band that played
stirring airs at each town landing was
aboard, flags wore fiyiug from the hurri
cane roof, and a little brass cannon was
mounted on tho lower deck, where it belched
f< rth a roar whenever a great steamer left
a landing. In the cabin there were passen
gers from all points along the river and
some from distant cities. The scene on
board was animated and gay. Of course
there was poker playing in the social hall
in the gentlemen’s cabin, which was in the
front part of the steamer.
“When the boat landed at Natchez a big
game was in full blast. A stranger, tall,
handsome and well dressed, came aboard.
He had an honest, open countenance and
won confidence the minute any one looked
at him. After he had registered at the
clerk’s desk and been assigned to a state
room, he lit a fragrant Havana cigar and
slowly sauntered around. When he came to
the table w here the big game of poker was
being played he sat down behind one of the
players. Now, it happened that the man ho
sat behind was not a professional gambler,
but his opponent across the table was a
blackleg of the most expert aud cun
ning kind. The nou-profo-sional, though,
had plenty of money an<l bet freo.y.
Several others wero in the game but
they are quite superfluous to this narrative.
The handsome strauger sat quietly behind
the non-professional aud gave pointers to
the gambler opposite. He did it in such
quick and telegraphic way that no one
saw, or even suspected him. Tdo gambler,
though, saw and understood his signs
thoroughly. Finally tho non-urotessio ial
player began to lose. If ho had a good
uand the gambler would either pass out or
bet and win. The stakes were raised and
several thousand dollars were on the table
in one pot. After the non-professional had
dealt the cards he nicked up his hand and
found four hearts and a club. The antes
and raises were too high to go out, and so he
drew oue card to a flush and the gambler
drew four cards to a king high.
“The latter never got a pair, and the
flush was not made. In an instant the tali
stranger communicated the fact to the
gambler that bis opponent had a bob-tail
flush and only queen high. Betting began
in a bluffy kind of say by >ho gambler
putting up a cool SI,OOO. The non-pro
fessional saw it and went $2,000 better.
They kept i aising each other until SIO,OOO
was up, when tho gambler was called. He
took in tho money with a king high and the
g me came to an end. The next morning
the tall, handsome stranger was strolling on
the hurricane deck when he was met by the
gambler, who requested the pleasure of
meeting him alone in his (the gambler’s)
stateroom. When they arrived in the
gambler’s stateroom ho carefully bolted the
door aud sail: ‘Now, pard. I wish to divide
with you. Here are $5,000, half of our
winnings.’ The tall stranger drew back in
dignantly and replied: T do not under
stand you. What do you owe me $5,000
tori’ ihen the gambler explained that he
always divided with other professionals who
gave away tho bauds of gentlemen ut the
card table. Without being embarrassed in
the least ihe stranger said: ‘I just gave
you pointers because I happened to sit be
hind that man. If I had been behind you
I would ha/o given your hand away to the
other fellow. That is the way I do; I don’t
wart any money.’ With that remark he
walked out of the gambler’s stateroom. I
defy any one to match a phase of character
similar to that of the handsome stranger.
He got off at New Orleans aud that was
the last over seen of him.”
“THE ONYX king’s” STORIES.
Senor Cooper, tho Mexican onyx king,
says: “Poker is a seductive game, and so I
never play it. Still, I know the fine points
of tho game, even if I cannot win when I
try to bet theoretically. One time 1 was
going to Europe in a slearner aud witnessed
a remarkable game of poker. Somo men
are born cautious and keep cool under try
ing circumstances. A well-known lawyer,
noted f< r his scientific way of betting at the
)>oker table, was one of the principals in the
game on this steamer. Three other men,
supposed to be gentlemen, but one was a
professional gambler in disguise, were en
gaged in the game. It was oue of those
*5 auto games, with no limit. A
SIOO bot on a pair of treys or deuces
was not uncommon. I knew the lawyer
and wanted to tell hi:n that I suspected lie
was playing against one sharp at least, but
I could not get the opportunity. Ou the
afternoon of }he first day of the poker game
a group of interested spectators stood
around the table. I was put behind the
lawyer’s chair. The betting was lively and
the lawyer won $2,000 iu ten minutes, aud
chiefly from the sharper. I saw that the
gambler was losing ou purpose to bait the
lawyer and make a big winning. Tho gam
bler dealt the cards and the lawyer got
three aces. He drew one card aud got an
other ace.
“Only the *5 antes were up and the
lawyer sat there with four aces in his hand,
the biggest band tbat could be dealt, except
a royal soquent flush, which they hail agreed
not to play when they began tfie game.
The other players passed out and thelawver
carelessly bet $5. A little hesitancy on the
part of the gambler and he went $2,500 bet
ter. The lawyer suspected trickery, but
where could it be? He held four aces, au
invincible hand, and yet the gambler evi
dently knew what he was doing, to bet so
large a sum. It was a trying situation.
No ono spoke. The lawyer counted up
$2,500 but did not put it up. He
paused aud carefully looked at his five
cards again. In an absent-minded
way he skinned the five cards through his
hand, when lo! the trick was exposed. The
lawyer had been given six cards by the
sharp. The sixth card was carefully glued
to the fifth card, and as the cards were made
of fine thin linen the double thickness was
scarcely noticeable. Any player having
over five cards when hands are called loses
or forfeits all of bis rights, even after he
ha* put up all of his money. Well, the
gambler’s four ace trick was exposed and
the game closed by the lawyer denouncing
him an a blackleg aud cheat. 1 tell you
it takes nerve to keep from betting on four
aces. Only a shrewd lawyer would hare
detected this trick.”
The picturesque minor paused, rolled a
cigarette, began to puff clouds of smoke
and related another poker storv. “This
one, ’ he said, “will uot be relished much in
the City of Mexico w hen it is read, because
it depleted tho pockets of a few wealthy
youths belonging to the highest families.
Two men from New York city, whose names
1 shall not mention, ar. ived iu the City of
Mexico about three years ago. They had
splennid letters of introduction and were’
immediately admitted into the best society.
T. ay also had plenty of money, spent it
liberal.y and captured the men they met
with their charming manners and brilliant
conversatioi al powers. Of course tho two
Gothamites were invited to the Jockey
Club, one of the swellest and m st aristo
cratic clubs iii the city. They were in
vited to play poker, and liberally dropped
$5,00i) each tho first evening. The next
evening another invitation was extended
and the two New Yorkers l ist about $2,000
cash. They had plenty of money, it ap
peared, and letters of credit on New York
and London. After a loss of $7,000 each
they evinced uo disposition to got it hick
again. Well, the rich young Mexicans
wore too polite not to insist upon another
game, so the two could, at least,
have a fair chance to get even.
After some persuasion another game was
played on a big scale, and the two New
Yorkers won all the money they had lost
and SIOO,OOO besides. They left the nexr
flay. Young Sanchez, who belongs to the
richest family in Mexico, lost a good deal,
so did young Contrenos and Estaudos and
others. That poker game has become his
torical in the City of Mexico. It was in
geniously planned and boldly executed. It
was tho s tisation of the day and for many
days, and tho young men mourn their loss
yet The two men from Gotham have nover
returned.”
LOG CABIN.
By R. W. Shoppell, Architect.
(Copyright by the Author.)
A club of men camping In the woods
might easily diversify their sport by build
ing with their own hands a cabin like that
illustrating this article. About all that
would need be purchased in the way of
materials would boa wagon load of floor
ing, a few sashes, a box of glass, a few
pounds of putty, a keg of nails, a pair of
strap hinges, oue pound of rope, a small
pulley, canvas for doors, a stove pipe and a
barrel of cement. The cement may bo
omitted if g od, stiff clay is available.
A few axes, a saw, a hammer, a trowel and
a shovel would be all the tools required.
* t a /
M 4
/ hi* / t\ Ti.'
'isf
" Jra -X
.vr V v,
.>3 jf< Q
PERSPECTIVE.
If the club’s resort were far from the
haunts of men they might put iu practice
squatter sovereignty, but it would bo wiser
to get permission to use tho land. The club
might be able to purchase tho building plat
for a mere trifle or a large tract (making a
g mie preserve) for a moderate sum. If it be
government land one of the members might
pre-empt a quarter section; the building
and his residence there for a time would
enable him to acquire title. In tills way
each member might acquire land. Such
easily acquired estates may become valua
ble possessions by I ime the heirs of these
sportive members critically examine their
assets.
But the most feasible and agreeable sug
gestion is to select the site tho first season
and make a contract with local guides or
laborers to build tho cabin duriug tho fall
and winter months. By staking out the
ground and indicating the trees that are to
bo left standing, and by leaving plans and
specifications with tho laborers for their
guidance, the owner or owners ought to
find a very habitable dwelling ready for
occupancy next reason.
Vrov* p.p'
] ©pe* PdSSA^e
R’I !x*.‘
' Vcr&ndd?'
W t.VJuIJ
* ——r- — A
FIRST FLOOR.
Following will be found a brief descrip
tion:
General Dimensions —Width, not includ
ing projection of chimney, 24 feet ; depth,
including veranda and not including cook
shed, 24 feet; depth, including cook shed,
37 feet 6 inches, flight of stories—First
story, 8 feet 6 inches; second story to ridge,
11 feet; at. side walls 1 feet.
Exterior Materials - Foundation, large
stones and logs. Ail walls and gables, logs.
Joints to be filled with clay. Hoofs made
of bark laid like Spanish tiling and nailed
with one nail to each piece, under lap.
Of.^ T Attre>
i
SECOND FLOOR.
Interior Finish —Rooms and veranda
floored with spruce. Interior walls left
with logs showing. Stone fireplace and
chimney laid in clay.
Accommodations —All rooms and their
sizes shown by plans. Attic floored and
well ventilated. Large openings from
sleeping room and living room to have can
vas curtains hung at top and arranged with
flap strings to shut securely. Sleeping
room to have four bunks at end. as shown
on plan. In c.tse ladies are in the party
they could sleep in this room, the men
sleeping in the attic, or, reversing the
DETAIL OF ROOF.
arrangemont, give the ladies the attic,
where they would probably foel more secure.
Access to tho attic from open dining room
by Seattle ands eps.
Steps arranged with ropo and pulley to
swing up against ceiling of first story when
not in use. In case window frames can
not be procured conveniently, the window
openings may be covered with cauvas.
Fussagi) between open dining room aud I
cook sited to be uncovered. Stovepipe hole
and pipe at roar of cook slu'd, as shown on
plan. When cabin U not occupied all open
ings to be boarded up. ,
LEMON ELIXIB.
A Pleasant Lemon Drink.
For biliousness and constipation, take
Lemon Elixir.
For indigestion and foul stomach, take
Lemon Elixir.
For sick and nervous headaches, take
Lemon Elixir.
For sleeplessness and nervousness, take
Lemon Elixir.
For loss of appetite and debility, take
Lemon Elixir.
For fevers, chills, and malaria, take
Lemon Elixir.
Dr. Mozley’s Lemon Elixir will not fail
you in any of the above named diseases, all
of which arise from a torpid or diseased
liver, stomach, kidneys, or bowels.
Prepared only by Dr. H. Mozley,
Atlanta, Ga.
Fifty cents and? 1 per bottle at druggists.
A Prominent Minister Writes:
After ten years of great suffering from
indigestion, with great nervous prostration,
biliousness, disordered kidneys, and consti
pation, I have been cured by Dr. Mozley’s
Lemon Elixir, and am now a well man.
Rev. C. C. Davis,
Elder M. E. Church (South),
No. 2S Tatnall St, Atlanta, Gi.
From a Prominent Lady.
I have not been able in two years to walk
or stand without suffering groat rain.
Since taking Dr. Mozley’s Lemon Elixir I
can walk half a nnia without suffering the
least inconvenience.
Mrs. R. H. Bpoodworth.
Griffin. Ga.— Adv.
GUNS AMMUNITION, ETC.
DUMBBELLS.
- . .
: - - :**■
A large lot just received of
the kind that the G, 000-tirae
man used. Everybody come
and buy and get strong.
G.S. McALPIN,
31 Whitaker Street.
I 1.01 u
“The Laliel Mid Trade Mark of a well known
and responsible manufacturer is the best pro
tection the public can have.”
Dr. MOTT, Government Chemist.
beware
OF IMITATIONS.
The popularity and high reputation for uni
formity and excellence of quality which our
Self Raisin? Flour has attained during the past,
THIRTY YEARS have induced other parties to
put up imitations
OF
our Packages and Trade Marks, soma of them
so nearly like our own in general appearance
that many have been deceived and have hnd
inferior preparations imposed upon them. We
therefore caution our customers to be sure that
IIEGKER'S
BEL F-RAIBIN(r
FLOXJR
is on each package. Take no other.
FOR SALE BY ALL FIRST-CLASS GROCERS.
GEORGE V. DECKER & COMPANY.
LIQUID GOLD.
1c1 '
Ready for Instant Use.
WILLIAMS’ LIQUID GOLD insures the
splendid effect of Solid Gold, no matter where
applied, and it can lie used by the most inexpo
rienced amateur. It was employed to decorate
the magnificent homes of W. II.VANDERBILT
JAY UOULI), JUDGE HILTON, and many
other wealthy and distinguished New Yorkers.
It Giles Frames, Wood, Silk, Metal. Paper,
etc., equal to Gold Leaf, and LADIES can
find no more charming Art Work than gilding
with Williams’ Liquid Gold.
(’arnels’ Hair Brush in every box. PRICE 81.
Avoid trashy imitations. Sent iiy mail os IIK
ceipt of the price. Circular free.
New York Chemical Mfo Cos., 3 E. 4th st.. N Y.
Sold by DRUGGISTS and ART DEALERS.
LUMBER.
•I. .1. W A LL,
MANUFACTURER OF
YELLOW PINE LUMBER
Flooring, Ceiling, Weather-Boarding,
Mouldings of all Kinds.
Scroll Sawing and Turning in all Varieties.
LATHS, SHINGLES, ETC.
ESTIMATES FURNISHED- PROMPT DE
LIVERY GUARANTEED.
Office at Yard 204 to 230 East Broad street, foot
of New Houston. Telephone 311.
SAVANNAH. - GEORGIA
HARDWARE.
HOSE,
REELS,
SPRINKLERS.
STICKS,
TROWELS,
HOES AND RAKES.
TILE.
FOR SALE BY
GARDEN
Edward Lovell’s Sons
155 H IK >I4XOIV ST.
CORN ICEs.
CHAS. A. COX
4GBAHNAKD ST.. SAVANNAH, GA-.
—HAjruFAcniß** or—
GALVANIZED IKON CORNICES
TIN ROOFING IN ill ITS BUNCHES
Estimates fur city or country work promptly
furnished.
Agent for the celebrated Swedish
faint.
Agent for Walter's Patent Tin Shingles.
COTTON FACTORS.
Tuouas F. Stubbs. W illiam S. Tison.
STUBBSJ& TISON,
Cotton Factors,
86 BAY STREET.
SAVANNAH. - GEORGIA
Liberal advances made on consignments of j
eotton. |
LOTTERY.
UNPRECEDENTED ATTRACTION I
OVER h MILLION DISTRIBUTED.
L.S.L.
LouisianaStatsLotteryCompany.
Incorporated by the Legislature, for Eduoa.
tional and Charitable purposes, and its fran
chise made a part of the present State CoustT
tutlou, in 187s), by an overwhelming popular vote.
o continue until
Jrnuary Ist, 1895.
It. MAMMOTH I>RIYY|\(,K take nl.o.
iJ'me and December), and irt
J.KAAD SINGLE MMIiSH DRAWINGS
ake place in each of the ether ten months
or the year, and are all drawn In public, at
the Academy of Mu.ic, Sew Orleans La
I-AM ED FOR TWENTY YEARS
For Integrity of Its Drawings and Prompt
Payment of Prizes.
. , Attested as follows:
h ' r, y that me supervise the
for a “ fV Monthly Zui Sent
A Drawin f TK.-. Humana State U,t
trot a '*' i ‘ n . Person manage ami cAm
trot the Drao-ings themselves and that the
tame are conducted with hnZtu
and.n g°< ; ,i faith toward all jZrtie.a
” V 11 ‘ nk * ami Banker, loffl
ray all Prizes drawn in The Louisiana State
Lotteries u-hich may be presented at our cou*.
!* '*, \ V , ' I ' MS, FV - Pres. Louisiana Nat. Bk.
IhHith I.IVUUX. Pres, -late \.f| ||k)
Grand Monthly Drawing
Atthe Academy of Music, NewOrleans,
Tuesday, August 12, 1890.
Capital Prize ft>3oo,oCo
100,000 Tickets at SSO each. Halves gup
Ouaners Tenth. *2: Twentieths tjt.
UST OK PRIZES.
I PRIZE OF $3U0.000 is...
1 PRIZE OP 100.000 i5....
1 PRIZE OF 60,000 i5....
I PRIZE OF a-,000 15... X’®**
II PRIZES OF 10,000 are
5 PRIZES OF 5,000 are... I"" S’ 22
a> PRIZES OF 1,000 are. .... * £’2s
ino PRIZES OF 600 are
200 PRIZES OF 800 are...
600 PRIZES OF aWare..
APPROXIMiTiOS PRIZES."’*
100 Prizes Of SSOO are ton non
3"0 Prizes of 300 are vil2 ‘
100 Prizes of 200 are **’’* -ZSo
, terminal prizes.'
900 Prizes of KX) are 09 mn
990 Prizes of luo am tr,i>X)
3.184 Prizes, amounting t 0... Si 054 sm
e^uStoTermln^Pri^P'" 1
AGENTS WANTED.
For , c, ' rß . Hates, or any further fa.
formation desired, write legibly to the under
signed,.clearly stating your residence, with
Mate, County. Street an l Number. More rapid
return mail delivery will be assured by your
enclosing an Envelope bearing your fuiladdrosc
JPzIPO^TANT.
Address M. A. 01 L I*HIV,
hew Orleans, I,a_
or SI. A. DAUPHIN,
Washington, D. C.
lly ordinary letter containing Money Order
Issued by all Express Companies, New York Ex
change, Draft or Postal Note.
Address Registered Letters Contain
ing Currency to
NEW ORLEANS NATIONAL BANK,
New Orleans, La.
**K E MEM 11 E H, that the payment of Prizes
Is GUARANTEED BY FOUR NATIONAL
lIANHw of New Orleans, and the Tickets an
signed by tbu President of an Institution whose
chartered rights are recoguized in the highest
Courts; therefore, lie ware of all imitations or
anonymous schemes."
HEMEMIIEIt ihnt the present charter o
the Louisiana State Lottery Company which
the SUPREME fill KT OF THE UNITED
STATES lias decided to tie a CONTRACT
with the State of Louisiana, and part of the
constitution of the State, DOER NOT KX
-I*l HE 1 NTIL THE FIRST of JANUARY
I H9.V
The legislature of Louisiana, which ad
journed on the JOth of July of this year, has
ordered an A >IKN DME Nf to the Constitutioni
of the State, to bo submitted to the People at
an election in 1892, which will carry the charter
of THE LOI IMANA STATE LOTTtRY
OMPANV uptotheyear NINETEEN HUN
DRED AND NINETEEN,
COPPER WORKERS.
IcIILLAN BEOS.;
SAVANNAH, GA.
FAYETTEVILLE, N. C,
Turpentine Stills
AND FIXTURES,
General Copper Workers.
Repairing a Specialty.
JEWELRY.
iLiiiii
HAS A FINE SELECTION OF
Diamonds, Barrings, Finger
Kings and Unmounted
Diamonds,
Which He Sells at Very Close Figures.
Also, FINE STERLING - SILVER WARE iu
elegant cases, and FINE TEA TABLES, gem*-
ine Veruis Martin, a beautiful thing for a wed
ding present.
18-KARAT PLAIN RING a specialty.
21 BULL ST.
PLUMUtih,
l a McCarthy,
414 L BARNARD STREET,
(Under Knights iff Pythias’ Hall).
PLUMBING AND GAS FlfflHi
STEAM HEAT IMG 4 SPECIAL?!.
11