The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-14

old fashioned birthstone factory Due nc
llkes to play "authors," and inuulges 10
that mild dissipation 10 the bosom os DIS
family when be can't ind good excuse ior
remaining down town. Important mauees
connected with the church and tne greas
scheme OF salvation often compel MN 70
stay late In consultation WIN tne o.us'
deacons, and upon these occasions lne spl-
ritual condition OF the benighteo hea,ncu =
discussed 10 the back room OF Descoh ms-
oruder,s grocery. James Bowers. world
iv vonng man. but very entertaining aud
lively COMPANION, takes part In these as
cussjons once IN awhile, and, 1t must ne
confessed, sometimes leads the two worthy
deacons away from the subject ana the
strict path OF rectiude; but as Dir. Sewers
IL a discreet young man the little shps
never leak out. That is, they didn't leak
ont ualiI James iuveigled them into tue
sinful game of wbisksy-poker under false
preterces. James read IN The paper
that an Elmira man had devised
game OF whiskey-poker TO be played
with the truly good and harmless authors
cards so be purchased pack ana
took them along TO the next conference on
the propagation of the true faith among the
Esquimaux, held 10 Deacon Magrnders
back room on Saturday evening. Deacon
SIIderback and Deacon Magruder had an
argument about the amount OF saving grace
an Esauimaux could absorb, which was IN
,errupted by James Bowers making some
fIppant remark about bears grease, and
SUGGESTING a game OF authors. The two
deaeons readily assented, and, after playing
awhile, James voted the game aux end un-
folded some ideas about making 1t more
interesting. He knew the t4o deacons
were wholly ignorant OF the ma
tional game OF draw, and he ex-
nlained to them the relative value OF
pairs. two pairs, and so on. The deaeons
seemed 10 catch on very readily, and agreed
TO play for cider to make the game interest.
ing. James dealt the hands and explained
that the five cards turned down on the table
constituted the "widow" hand, and that
the man holding the ace had the privilege
of exchanging his hand for the widow "
or knocking and passing the privilege 10
the next. Deacon Siderback held the ace,
and being known in the community as the
friend OF the widows and fatherless, be sus'
tanned his reputation by picking up the
"widOw." Deacon Magruder drew "EVdn-
geline" TO 6ll from the hand that Deacon
Sliderback discarded, and laid down the
" Marble Fawn," which was snapped up By
Il
Gables" They drew around twice, when
Deacon Slider back knocked, and they all
stood their hands and showed down. Dea-
con Magruder held a LongfellOw full on
Dickens, Deacon Silderback exhibited two
pairs, Cooper up, aud James had three
Hawthorns, giving Deacon Sliderback a
Point for the lowest band. The game went
along ali right until each of the deacons had
four points and James only two, 1t being
agreed that the man getting five points first
would be stuck for the drinks. 1t was
Deacon SIiderback's deal, and be passed the
pack TO James, who cut the "Stones OF
Venice" for the bottom card, taking sly
glance at 1t as he did so. The Deacon
tossed around the cards, and Deacon Ma
gruder stood pat and knocked, while James
picked up the widow" and threw down
his hand, one of the cards being "Seyen
Lamps OF Architecture" which Deacon
Sliderback eagerly picked up.
"What have you g0t:" said Deacon Ma
gruder to Mr.. Bowers.
1.-Two small pairs, 'Thackeray' and
George Elliott" replied James, showing!
down "Peudenns," "Vanity Fair"
"Daniel Deronda," and "Romolo."
"I've got a Hugo straight" remarked
Deacon Magruder, laying down lies Mise
rables,v "L'Homme Qui Ritz" "Nnety-
three" " Toiers Of the Sea-" and "Napo-
leon the Little" "and | guess that's the
boss hand out"
"Hold on" Clipped in Deacon Slider
back, 81 can beat that. You say it's
straight, don't your"
ayes, that's what | call it. What have
you got?"
Well, pve got Ruskin fush," re-
marked Deacon Sliderback, exultingly
showing down Modern Painters" Deu-
Gallon, ""Crown Of Wild Olives" "Seven
Lamps Of Architecture" and "Stenes OF
Venice"
"No, you don't," said Deacon Magru-
der; that's no better hand than my Hugo
straight"
"Hugo to thunder !" responded Slider
back, getting excited; 81 claim flash,
and that beats any straight in the deck.
Any fool knows that"
Don't call me fool, Deacon Sliderback.
Pve played poker as much as you have, and
say your hand is only straight"
81 say it's flush."
"All right, them mines flush, and it
beats yours, because 1t is pat, and you
filed"
81 wasn't going to say anything, Deacon
Magruder, about that card you dropped
under the table, but when a member of the
church stoops TO such thing TO get out OF
setting up his three glasses Of cider in his
own store, il was time he was shown up. /
won't merton ii outside this time, though,
II you give in beaten"
ado you mean to accuse NE OF cheating,
Deacon Sliderback ?" said Magruder in
tone OF suppressed emotion.
"Thals about tue size Of 1t. am panied
to say, sir, and it grieyes me that professor
OF religion should"
"Oh, you dry up, you old fraud" yelled
Magruder. didn't / see you deal the
Stones of Venice to yourself of the bot
tom Of the pack, and never say anything
about itt"
q" You're liar!"
"You're another, you dumbfounded old
mulligaloot."
Then they clnched and fought all over
the store, tipped over gallon of mOlasseS
and rolled in it, and then wallowed around
in the contents of an upset four-barrel, and
when the neighbors came in Deacon Ma
gruder was sitting on the floor with his
back against potato'sack. Deacon Slider
back was doubled up in bushel. basket
with his arms hanging outside and his legs
pointing up toward the salt Goldfish hang
ing from the raiLers, and both were glaring
savagely and putting hard for wind, while
James Bowers, Esq, was lying on the coun-
ter choking with laughter, after having
gathered up the authors cards and seat
tered a genuine poker.deck over the floor.
The deacons have been trying to explain,
but the eircumstantial evidence is likely TO
A0or them and cause quite a scandal in the
church.
Lkaffe Emma Wells About Her Kisses.
lFrom interview Ia New York san.J