Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-10-01
Gem. FORESTS Game of Poker

Several years ago Gen. Forrest visit
ed the CITY end stopped at the old City
Hotel. That night several gentlemen
callsd there. among whom was gem
tlemon now connected with the Banner.
The room had been crowded during the
early part of tho night, and Forrest had
received the usual attention bestowed
an him. Now, however, he was sitting
"a to himself, and appeared worn and
tired out. Our informant, wishing to
have . talk with him about himself
sought him and entered INTO conversa'
ton with him.
General says he, 'I've heard you
were a great poker-playcr in your time.'
Yes says the General, L have
pl.ved some,' and his eyes began to
spsrkle with the memory of old times
and he at once seemed interested in the
subject. for be 1t known that no one
was fondrr than he in recounting his
wonderful exploits.
How much, General, was the larges'
stake you ever played"
I once called $4,000 in New Or
leans
Did you win?'
Oh, yc. won it,
What was your hand, General'
1t was three kings
But says he. the hardest game
ever played was at Memphis. Just attel
the war closed my wife and l went tC
Memphis, and we stopped at the Wor
sham House. The next morning VI
cot our things together and l emptlet
all my papers out of my trunk on th'
Aoor. and Mary (I'm not certain hi
vire,s namc was Mary. but that will d(
for the tale went over them, huntn!
for something to raise money out OF. l
emptied nv pockets and Mary emptie'
her,n. and between us we had $780,
After hunting over everything we founC
that every man who owed me was eth
or dead O. broke. hadn't one single
naper on which could raise cent out
en-. After We got through the pile
looked at Mary and Mary looked at me
Now. what's to be done, Mary " say
II. Il don't know says she, but th'
Lord will provide You see Mary wa
lone of the best women in the world, ,ant
she had heap of faith in her religion
I looked at her right straight a Ions
time. and at last says | Mary, yol
are a mighty good woman, and I'm go
ing to tell you something. There's tt
he a big dinner at this evening. an
I'm invited. They always play poke
at that house, and you have been agl'
me playing, and l reckon you are rlgh
HfS f'N-J
about it. But things have become des
nerate with us, and somehow | feel
Won wouldn't be agin me, but woul'
pray for me, could make raise to
night
Say. she, Bedford, can't do it. IT.
wrong for you to do it, and I'd heal
rather you wouldn't
But. Mary says l, l never was II
such a fix before. Here We are with N
money bat 1870, and that wouldn't pa.
our tavern bill. l can't lose no mor
than that, for I'll swear won't bet Oh
credit. If lose that III come home
and if I WIN, then we'll have somethin
to start on Well, argued aud argue
with her, but she wouldn't say yes.-
But at last she says:
Bedford. | know your mind ia Sc
on It, and l know you are gong to be
whether I'm willin' or not so won
say nothing moro about it,
But, somehow, l felt when | starte'
that she was for me, and jst knowe
: hew 'twould be-
We'll, went some time before din
, uer, and, sure enough, they were at il
They had three tables-one had a quar-
. tor ante, one a half, and one dolls
9 and a half. wanted my seven dollar
Q to last as long as could make 1t, an