Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-09
"A GOOD STORY.
HOW "a Private CIub-rO0m Produced
aecene-Draw-pOke that Drew an
Huexpecfed Crowd. HHff fN flt

HOW "a Private CIub-rO0m Produced
aGcene-Draw-pOke that Drew an
Unexpected Crowd. f tet
The Long Branch correspondent of
the New York Herald writes as follows:
Some of the guests have a private
little club-room of their own at the best
hotel here, which, though not gorgeously
fitted up, nor much more convenient
than John Chamberlain's cottage, is ex-
ceedngly well patronized by some of the
Jolly old magnates who make this insig-
nifcant hotel their rendezvous, This
room lies right off the hall, in the. main
corridor, next to the grand staircase,
Here at almost any time you can find a
congenial party at draw-poker or whist,
with as much money staked as you may
| find frequently at the cottage" -Four
of these solid old dignitaries, however,
who used to play, have ceased since a
little incident occurred which i now pro-
pose to relate. heard it legitimately.
Mrs. Mackintosh-I will call her Mack
intosh for short, though that is not her
name--one of the ladies who figures in
the story. thought it too good TO keep,
and told her sister-in-law, Jenny Mack
intosh, who told her beau, and he told
me.
II was Sunday or Monday, or it may
have been Tuesday night--I cannot say
FLOR certain which-yhen Mrs, Mack, at
about one clock missed Mack from her
side and cautiously descended to the
dimly-hghted clerks desk to know where
he could be. No one knew there, and
she proceeded through the corridor; but
Just as she came opposite No.-shall l
say 22?--she heard Macks voice inside:
| II 90 twenty betterH
Mrs. Mack's heart stood still She
knew enough to understand the mean
ing of those mystic words, At first she
was confused and knew not what to do.
| Then indignation seized her, and she
was about to break down the door. and
collar Mack, when she heard another
voice, that was also familiar, reply:
"Ahl twenty better2 Well, ] see that
and 20 ten more" . a.E
| The last familiar voice was Judge
we'll, say Judge Slocum. Judge Slocum
was the husband of her dearest and most
intimate friend and in the kindness Of
her heart, being a woman, Mrs. Mack
determined to have Mrs Slocum on the
spot to share her misery. Mrs. Slocum's
room was not far away, and there Mrs.
Mack hied.
/ =" NY dear" said she, is Judge Slo-
cum in2 No. ! am so glad of it. i
cannot sleep, and want you to keep me
company. e aatH @
z Now, it was near one o'clock, and yet,
strange to say, Mrs, Slocum was not
asleep. She told Mrs Mack that she was
sitting up for the Judge who was com
lpelled to consult with New York coun'
sellor at the Continental that night.
Only woman could have carried this
diabolical plot to completion, and Mrs.
Mack was that woman BD iBfif b4N
"Well, dear, throw your cape oyer you,
and let's 90 down in the corridor. My
husband is away tonight and ! feel fey
erish, and must walk. !"
So down they went into the corridor,
and Mrs. Slocums ears were astonished
by bearing the Judge remark to some
! heatLsV Chinee opposite, ~ call your
rWhy, thstg the Judges voice" said
Mrs Slocum but hefore she could act
upon the new light let in Ep0n her, an
other yoice-not MacRs, this time, but
Colonel. well, III call it Benson's.-
replied, "Three qHeenslp
"D-n your qleensI ytwo pair aint
worth shucksl"
"Why, they are gamblingl" said Mrs.
Slocum, in stage-whisper.
my husband, too; and Sasn that
Colonel Benson's voicef @i5 z
Mrs. Mack assented readily. 1t was
Colonel Benson's voice. rs 4s'
"Then I'll go call Mrs. Benson. Wo-
menv-wiYes, too-are not to be treated
this way any longer" and, before the
ready Mrs. Mack 6onld prevent her, Mrs.
Slocum was up the stairs like Q shot {.
One Of the gentlemanly clerks saw
this proceeding, and thought it due to-
the hieL religious peace and harmony OF
the household 10 interfere. He came up
to Mrs. Mack and said vesy aHably
/" Amt you afraid you will catch cold,
Mrs. Mack? You had better go to your
rooI." rrll
Mrs. Mack put her foot down at once
Not till / see this oat. Mr.. Clerk" said
she, and you'd better not interfere. "a
The clerk withdrew, fearing even to
simulRte a warning cough. igwt y
Soon Mrs. Slocum came back with
Mrs. Benson, wbq vas all in tremor.
"Why, what's the. matter, Mrs. Mack.
Here comes Mrs. Slocnm into my room
like Lady Macbeth in real life, and
drags me out without word of expla-
nation and brings me herei'
"Oh, waitl" said Mrs. Slocnm, " and
you u ask no explanation These meni
these meRr -. =,
Just then ? new. Eolpe lnslde SAID:
"Give me three cards.
"Oh, heavensP said Mrs lSlocum,
"that DR.. Thompson voioel Are all
the wopen's husbands playing cards To-
nightY"
Just then Slocum's basso profundo
smote the eeFs Of tbe trio. Two cards,
said he lI1 HO1lIAN ( .UN Gul8
Mrs. Benson, in her vexation, probably,
at being untimely called out of bed, said,
with sweet womanly innocence, " Why,
that your husbandl"'t r,i1--iht ID b
"Oh, yes" said Mrs. Sloeum. wait
awhile, my dear, and see who else's hus-
band you hear" 0,1f 3" I
Just then Benson's voice putin an APP
pearance. IlilaYat elh
II bet teuI'' ...... NA
."Ahp said Mrs. Slocum, that's
rorr bnshand Than Maointosh'a q voice