Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-07-03
From the st. Louis Reveille.
"A Friendly Game of Poker.
BY SOL SMITH.

Ne"-OIiedhs, 4 found myself seated al table
with three of my fellow passengers, playing at
The interesting game of "Poker" Card pIav-
ing was very common amusement then, ( s35)
and II was not unusual 10 see half dozen ia
bes occupied al the same time in the genIe-
mans cabin of a Mississippi boat. had sal
down al the game for amusement, but on rising
al ten O'Clock, ! found my amusement had cost
me about Sky doars This won't do at all ;
said |, thinking aloud : | must try it again TO-
morrow 'Of course YOU must replied one of
the players, who happened to be an old acquan-
lance Of mine from Montgomery, Alabama,
where he had been lailor for several years,
and where he was considered a very respeca-
bic citizen, You must not give il up so,' he
continued, following me out on the guard--'to to-
morrow you'll get even | entered into con-
veisation with my old acquaintance whose name
was Hubbell or Hubbard, | don't remember
which-we'lI call him Hubbard-and he advised
me by all means to try another sitting on the
morrow. | suggested to him that slight sus-
picion had crossed my mind that some of our
card parry might possibly be black-legS-in
other words, gamblers He answered that the
same thought had struck him at one lime, but
he had come 10 the conclusion that all had been
fair. Before leaving me, my guardian friend
informed me that he had become a sporting
mamie fell it 10 be his duty TO inform NE of
it--but he assured ME, upon his honor, () he
would not see me wroDged. Of course | be-
ieved him. and it was agreed lha, we should
try our luck again.
Next morning, soon as the breakfast things
had cleared away, | found Hubbard and a friend
Of has waiting for me al one Of the card tables,
and took my seat with the hope Of getting
even--a hope which has led many man into
irrelrievsble ruin | feli quite confident of win
ming back my losings over night, and my play
mates gave NE every encouragement that
should be successful. A, it we went, playing
with varying luck for about two hours. Al
about | O'Clock Hubbard's friend left US few
minutes to ge, drink and the jsiior and my
self were left playing single handed. When
the third hand left, we were using The small
cards. as they're caled-ihat is SKIES and un-
der; but Hubbard Immediately proposed we
should take the large cards. items and over, ),
which agreed 10 matter of course. One
thing mere observed--my friend, the jaiiol
dealt the cards with0ut shutting. This made
me resolve TO watch him closely Taking ~
my cards | was agreeajly surprised 10 find
| had an excellent hand Now thinks 10 my
self, 'now is The time. if ever 10 get even; j
my adversary only happens to have decen
hand shall do well enough
TThe reader who does not understand the
game of bluff or poker as il is generally
called, may as well leave off here
commenced the game BY Dragging dollar
Ny adversary went the dollar, and FIVE better
| went that and len He Immediately put VI
the ten, and laid down twenty, keeping hi,
pockel book out, as much as 10 say AN vii
ling to go any Thing you choose 10 bet Afiel
moments reflection (all acIingD said | g,
that aud ffiy' All right replied The jaior
there IT isl 90 thai and hundred = here
looked al NY cards, again, and affected 10 have
great doubt whether should 20 The hundred
1 Take back your las, bel ! mget-'I' II is TOO
much for either of Us lose begin 30 lhlna
! ! have been ra>t--take i, back, and let Us sho"
eur hands for the money already DOWN mo!
said Hub5ard--' II you mean spor'Ino, put uI
the hundred, or back out and give Up tie money
: Can't do ,lal. replied don't come from ;
backing oul country mast have showing
for the money that's down-So there's 'he hnn
dred-sn as nly pocket books OFT, and my
hands ia, there's another c. This new be
seemed 10 please my friend Hubbard mlgh''Iy
! He answered IL without nomcni'> pause, au'
went Two hundIe ed more now requested m,
opponent 10 permit ne 10 show my cards ''
some Of The hystandefs, wbo were eFowdn;
around the table TO see Iun n--aii considering m'
u,osl undoubtedly picked up Hubbard "oo!'