The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-01-08
POKER IN COURT.
Lamentable Ignorance of the Game in In
diana.
From the Evansville Courier.l

is regarded among gamblers like the
man who turns States evidence is re-
garded among criminals. But it may
be necessary to explain that "squeal-
ing'' means to complain of your losses
and demand their return. The law
provides that money lost at gaming may
be recovered by suit on proving the
fact. Over week ago Dick Wiechel,
a well known sport here, entered suit
against Joe Meyer and John Miller to
recover about 5000 which he alleged
they had jointly won from him at draw
poker at various times within the past
six weeks. This was 'ssquealing,"
"pleading the baby-act," "kicking -
or what You please, in colloquial par
lance. The suit was dismissed in one
or two courts, but finally came up for
trial before a jury in Squire Roberts's
court yesterday. M. c. Baum appeared
for Wiechel, and John Browniee for
Meyer and Miller.
Wiechel was sworn and put on the
stand, and began to explain to Court,
jury and counsel, not to speak of Gu
rious audience, the mystery of the game
of draw-poker:
"Well, you see," said he, "the play
ers sit around a table, and the man next
to the dealer puts up his ante
"Hold on,n exclaimed Mr.. Brownlee.
"1f your Honor please, don't under
stand
Nor do l." said the Court, warmly.
Sc can scarce believe that even men
sinful enough to play at cards for money
would put their own female relations
upon a table for snort ),
The Jury groans aloud.
&C don't mean that said the wit
ness. "When a man puts up his ante,
he puts up certain amount of money
as an earnest of play. Then the cards
are dealt. Those who want to come
| in-n
"Oh, l see," said the Court, with a
bland smile; cit resembles the old
game of 'smitten,' where the young
men are kept out of the room"
No." snapped the witness, 8" it ain t
that. When man comes in he puts
up twice the amount of the ante, and is
entitled to draw
&c 1t is something like lottery, and
this money purchases tickets?'' sug-
gested Mr.. Brownlee, with a look Of
profound curiosity.
" No, draw means if you have come
IN on pair, you have right to another
deal of the cards. We were PLAYING
jack-pots, and there was q good-sized
pot on the table,
who placed that pot on the tablet"
inquired Mr.. Brownlee, sternly.
"Why, all of 'em," answered the wit
ness.
"Who were all Of Temp" persisted the
counsel, with grim determination.
The Court was leaning anxiously over
the table.
"All that were playing" said the wit
ness.
"Give the names of all playing"
shouted the counsel, while the excite
ment in court went up to fever pitch.
The Court was leaning on both elbows
with his spectacfes on; the Jury pricked
up their ears, while one professional.
who was getting a little incapable, ad-
justed his open hand to his ear.
Must l give the names?" pleaded
the witness.
"Yes!" Numbered the counsel.
swell, there was --, and -
sides Meyer and Miller and myself
The names having been elected, the
Court slid back into his chair, the Jury
sank back on their spinal points, coun-
sci stopped to rest, and the audience
sighed as it greatly refreshed. We would
give the names, but they are in so many
morocco-covered autograph albums and
on SO many tailors' bills that we think it
unnecessary.
You see, in playing jack-pots you
must hold as high as jacks to-
"Ah, yes," said MIR. Brownlee, smil-
Ing to the Court, whose lips smiled back
while the Jury grinned responsibility.
Ihls. game is harmless one. This
comparison of 'as high as jacks doubt
less refers to Jack the Giant Killer. and
the Bean Stalk
stack and the-!' cried the wit
ness. Holding jacks means that YOU
must hold cards as high in denomina-
ton as two jacks in order to open the
pot"
"That is, take off the lid of the pot,n
explained Mr.. Brownlee, patronizingly,
to the Court.
"Take off monkey s mother!" cried
the witness, with profound contempt.
"There's no pot on the table-the money
up is called the pot, and the man who
holds jacks can require the others to bet
him or to drop out.''
Drop out of the window, or out into
the next room?" asked counsel, blandly.
care you a-givin' me taffyP" asked
the witness.
"Iaffy?'' wonderingly.
aoa Yes ,d tsaffy, and don't you forget it
Counsel argued with the Court that
the plaintiff charged Meyer and Miller
with having jointly won his money, and |
yet here were three or four other per-
sons admitted to have been in the game. |
lie demanded that Wiechel prove the
particular dollars and cents lost at speci- |
ned times. This could not be done, and. |
at defendants demand, the Jury gave a
finding for the defendant.
The Oldest Railroad Official.
Benjamin Fish of Trenton, N. j.. on