Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-07
AN INCIDENT IN CHAMBERLAIE's
CLUB-HOUSE.

SLLB-HtLBE.
Washington Correspondence Of the Pittsburg
Leader.
To switch off from politics may per-
hapsbe a~nagreeable change. The sub
Ject now on deck Is an incident that
occurred at John Chamberlain's club
house the other evening. And, by the
way, this house Is doing a smashing
business. Money by the thousands
changes hands there every night. A
prominent politician, Gen. -, drop
ped Sll,S0O upon the roulette-table the
other evening without receiving any
return. l know promising young
Congressman who is perfectly infatu-
ated with roulette. He loses all his
salary there, and besides as much as he
can borrow. IL the fool-killer could
only visit Chamberlain's some night he
would find a rich harvest.
But to the incident. There is a young
Polish Jew about town, a cheUalier
d alduStrie by profession. He is one
Of the most frightful bOres that ever
walked his bLthing presence upon this
green earth. He comes upon you with
all the hideOusRess Of a nightmare, and
weighs down upon you with remorse-
less egOtism and an utter absence Of
tact that would warrant his murder, if
an intelligent jury could afterward be
found to appreciate and try the case.
This individual affects the deeply mys-
ferrous about himself, and once, when
very drunk, burst into bitter tears as
he confessed himself the long lost and
last heir of the royal family of Poland.
Well, I shall call him Poland for the
purposes OF this incident.
Poland is a well known nuisance In
Washington. He fastens himselfupon
the acquaintance Of wel-known men,
and affects an intimacy that must
tempt them at times $50 kind o lift
him piece with their boots" But the
average lawful dignityof greatmen has
hitherto prevented any dire catastrophe
TO this tuft-hunting bore.
The other night Poland was up at
Chamberlain; it Is a favorite resort Of
his. Here he finds plenty of fine
liquors, cigars, lunchese and a good
supper. He does justice to them all, I
assure you. Upon this night Poland
had added his head with champagne,
until he was capable Of accomplishing
~unheard-of feats Of intimacy with great
men. He wandered about boasting to
every one he knew Of the many great
men Of Washington who repOsed onthe
bosom Of his friendship whenever they
were weary.
Suddenly there was heard a cry Of
fighting in One of the rear p~arlors.
Gen. Blank, a wealthy man, well known
IN social circles here, was engaged IN a
fierce alteration with one of the pro.
prietors. He had Just lost $1,000 at
roulette, and as he was very drunk, he
had become fighting mad about his
loss. He Is a very large, powerful
man, and he lunged about in a fearful
manner. Just previous to this brawl,
Poland had been Boosting of his init
macy with Gen. Blank.
Come" said one Of his listeners,
"there is your friend IN trouble. You
had better get him home some way"
Poland saw a chance to make capital
for himself, and as Gen. Blank was very
drunk he thought he might have an
easy task of 1t.
He went boldly up to the General,
and putting his arm around him pro-
tectingly, said: "Come home with me,
General, you have been here long
enough"
The General for reply, raised up a
hand the size and weight Of a ham, and
brought it down with a resounding slap
upon Poland's Jaws, nearly loosening
every tooth in his head. The slap was
as loud as the report Of a pistol.
Poland is a terrible man to contem-
plate when In rath. His faculties are
all paralyZed but one. A naughty glare
in his eyes alone remains. No one can
slap Poland in the face, and feel after
ward an immunity from this glare. He
rested this look several moments upon
the General, but be was too much oc-
with his brawl to pay any at
tentiOn to the sOul-devastating look Of
Poland.
Poland gazed at him five minutes,
and then turning to a gentlemen stand
by said: did you see my friend
me? He is very drunk
The gentleman said: "No; I was out
on the street at the time, several
away, but I heard him strike
you"
What would yOu do about FTP"
said Poland.
why, 1 would write a note to the
General, saying briefly and coldly that
if he should slap me like that again,
and 1 should find it out, that I would
make him prove it."
Poland became lost in the contem-
Of this, but he came out of his
and lost his chargin at the
cheerful notes of supper is ready,
gentlemen"