The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-09-04
GEN. FORREsTs GAME OF POKER.
Did his Wife Pray While he was Playing.
From the Nashrille Banner.

From the NashriNe Banner.
Several years ago Gen. Forrest visited
the city and stopped at the Old City
Hotel. That night several gentlemen
called to see him, among them gentle
man now connected with the Banner.
The room had been crowded during the
early part of the night, and Forrest had
received the usual attention bestowed on
him. Now, however, be was sitting of
by himself, and apparently worn and
tired out. Our informant wishing to
have a talk with him about himself,
sought him and entered into conversation
with him.
General" says he, "Ive heard you
were great poker player in your time"
eyes" says the General, II have
played some," and his eyes began to
sparkle with the memory of old times,
and he at once seemed interested in the
subject, for be it known that no one was
fonder than he of recouuting his Won
derful exploits.
GLOW much, General, was the largest
stake you ever played ?"
II once called $4,000 in New Or
leans"
"Did you VIM"
"Oh yes 1 won it."
"What was your hand, General?"
"It was three kings"
"But," says he, 'the hardest game I
ever played was at Memphis. Just after
the war closed, me and my wife went to
Memphis, and we stopped at the Wor-
sham House. The next morning we got
our things together, and emptied all
my papers out of my trunk on the floor,
and Mary (I'm not certain his wife's
name was Mary, but that will do for the
tale) went over and over them hunting
for something to raise money out of. L
emptied my pockets, Mary emptied her'n,
and between US we had $3.50. After
huntin' over everything We found that
everyman who owed me was either
dead or broke. I hadn't one single pa
per on which could raise cent outen.
After we got through the pile I looked at
Mary aud Mary looked at me. Now
what's to be done, Mary? says |. I
don't know says she, 'but the Lord will
provide You see, Mary was one of the
best women in the world, and she had q
heap of faith in her religion. Hooked at
her right straight for along time, and at
last says I: Mary you are mighty good
women, and Pm going to tell you some
thing. There's to be a big dinner at
this evening, and Pm invited. They
always play pooker at that house, and
you have always been agin me playing,
and 1 reckon you are right about it.
But things have become desperate with
us, and somehow feel if you wouldn't
be agin me, but would pray for me 1
could make raise tonight"
"Says she: Bedford, Ican't do it. It's
wrong for you to dc it, and I'd heap
rather You wouldn't
"'But, Mary says I, Il never was in
such fix before. Here we are with no
money but 81 80, and that won't pay our
tavern bill. I cant lose no more than
that, for I'll swear that I won't bet on a
credit. If I lose that I'll come home !;
and if l win, then we'll have something
to start on.' Well, argued and argued
with her, but she wouldn't say yes. But
at last she says:
Bedford, l know your mind is set on
it aud I know your are going to bet,
whether I am willin' or not; so l won't
say nothing more about it,
'But, somehow, / felt when I started
that she was for me, and I jist knowed
how 'twould be.
"Well, / went some time before dinner,
and sure enough, they were at it. They
had three tables-one had quarter ante,
one half, and one dollar and half.
1 wanted my seven dollars to last as
long as 1 could make it, so set down to
the quarter table. We bet on until din
ner, and by that time I had won enough
to do better; and after we had eat, sat
down to the dollar and half table.
Sometimes won, and then again I'd lose
on until nigh about midnight, aud then
I had better luck. 1 know'd Mary was
setting up and praying; I felt like it,
and it made me cool. set my hat down
by me side on the floor, and every time
I'd win I'd drop the money in the hat.
We played on, and I didn't know moth
ing about how much I'd won. I didn't
keep any count, but 1 know'd was
winning. I thought may be I'd won a
hundred dollars, or may be two hundred,
but didn't know. set there until day
broke, and then we went home. took
my hat up in both hands and smashed
it on my head and went home without
taking it of. When 1 got to my room
there sat Mary in her gown, and the bed
wasn't mashed. She'd set up all night
| waiting for me. She seemed tired and
anxious, and though she looked mighty
hard at me she didn't say word. !
walked right up to her, and pulling of
| my hat with both Of my hands l emptied
| it all right in the lap of her gown. And
then we set down and counted it,"
"How much was there, Generals"
"Just fifteen hundred dollars even."
"Aud that" added the General, as he
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