Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-24
THE GAZETTE.
"AN IJpRllDENT, REMARK"
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH u, 1859


IAN INGREDIENT REMARK"
Crabbe was universal favorite with old
and Young. and was well known toevery body,
and the res. If mankind, from the Blue Ridge,
in Virginia, to the Carolians. having visited
every race track general muster aud Super
Tor Court, for the last quarter vi century
lie was an honest, blunt, joral old soul, as
ever lived. The summum toaum OF allearti-
" happiness. in CRADLES opinion, consisted
in dealing SWEET lie had rather have dealt
..swet" at l2} and Sl00 to a sprightly crowd
than to have been installed Emperor all the
Russias. Crabbe having natural taste for
the corn juice" and when fortune frowned
disposed to press his natural instincts, II often
happened that he was busted, or IN other
words dead, "broke." This would compel
him to ask loan Of V. or an \. of some of
his legal friends, and compel him to conine
himself to "short kerds" Gas he called Bluff,
Bragg, etc. J until he could make raise suf-
fcent to Justify him in spreading his darling
''swet CLOTH" Crabbe, when i'll luck, posses
sed a fair comely stride, but when cleaned
out" his gait was short, crooked and ambling.
On certain court day, when the whole sport
ing community, including the bench. the bar,
clients, had become pretty thoroughly ex-
hausted in funds" by fighting the Tiger"
Crabbe had been forced to suspend his favor
lite pastime for the want of the ''tiIl' to car
ryi on. Crabbe, after giving his numerous
friends and patrons sundry pretty broad hints
for a small loan, without any response being
made in the shape of tender of loan, boldly
proposed to the Hon. Sam. G. (who is as cele-
brated for his goodness of heart and sparkling
wit as he is distinguished for his legal acu-
men, and four others, that they should make
up a game of Poker, saying for the sake OF
facilitating change, they should each take
thirty grains of corn a piece, each grain OF
corn TO represent one dollar; the game
to last three hours, and the anti to he
one dollar; at the expiration ofwhich time
there was to be general settlement. This
proposition was readily agreed to, the corn
was shelled of. thirty grains allotted to each,
the cards shuffied out, and dealt. Crabbe,
who had learned to play Bluff" during the
memorable flush times of Alabama soon
found, byholding few hands Of good papers,
himself in the possession Of some fifty grains,
independent Of his stake. Slowly, and care
fully counting over his "pile, and finding it
albright; he gravely addresses the party thus:
.'Recolect, gentlemen, although We use a
grain of corn to represent dollar, yet this is
strictly cash game, and every gentleman is
expected to redeem, in hard cash, every grain
he loses, before he leaves the board" This
likewise being acquieseed in by the party,
Crabbe proceeds to deal the cards again
Just before the game expires by limitation.
Crabbe, by one or two unfortunate bluffs,
in which be is called, loses not only his win
nings, but some sixty grains besides! The
game is over, and Crabbe, silently arising.
starts off, in his peculiar short-step ambllng
gait. The Hon. Sam c. remarks "Mr.
Wharton, did not understand you to say this
was strictly cash game. and every gentle
man was expected to redeem, in hard cash, his
corn before he left the board?" Crabbe rejoln-
cd: Il did, Sam, but it was add imprudent
remark" Yours, until you from me again.
-New York Spirit Of the Times.