Louisiana capitolian., 1881-08-06
A FLUSH AND A STRAIGHT.
Deacon Sliderback' - Experience
with Whiskey Poker.
From the Boston Star.


passes to whatever place may be submit
ted for thu. old.fashioned birthstone fac
tory. but he likes to play "anthors,' and
indulge in that mild dissipation in the
bosom of his family when ne can't find q
good excuse for remaining down town.
Important matters connected with the
church often compel him to stay out
late in consideration with the other |
deacons, and upon these occasions the
spiritual condition Of the benighted
heather is discussed in the back room
of Deacon Magruders grocery. James
Bowers, q worldly young man; but
very entertaining and lively companion,
takes part in these discussions once in
a while Mr.. Bowers is discreet yonDg
man.
James read in the paper that an Ell
mira man had devised game OF whis-
key poker to be played with the
truly good and harmless "authors''
cards so he purchased pack and took
them along to the next conference on
the propagation Of the faith among the
Esquimaux, held in Deacon Magruders
back room, on Saturday evening. Dea-
con Sliderback and Deacon Magruder
held an argument about the amount OF
saving grace an Esquimaux could
absorb; which was interrupted by James
Bowers making some fippant remark
about bears grease and suggesting a
game of authors. The two dcacons
readily assented, and, after playing Il
while, James voted the game dull and
unfolded some ideas making it more
interesting. He knew the two deacons
were wholly ignorant of the national
game of draw, and he explained to
them the value of pairs, two pairs, 80
on. The deacons seemed to catch on very
readily, and agreed to play for cider to
make the game interesting.
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 age had
the privilege of exchanging his hand fol
the widow, or knocking and passing the
privilege to the next. Deacon Slider
, back held the age, and being known il
: the community as the friend of the wild
ows and fatberless, he sustained th'
} reputation by picking up the "widow.'
. Deacon Magruder drew "Evangeline" t.
fill from the hand that Deacon Slider
y back discarded, and laid down tn
"Marble Faun," which was snapped III
0 by Bowers to pair with "Tbe House o
L Seven Cables" They drew around twice
Il when Deacon Sliderback knocked, AM
q they all stood their hands and shove
g down. Deacon Magruder held q Lone
., fellow full on Dickens. Deacon Slider
y back exhibited two pairs. Cooper NJ
o and James had three Hawthornes, giN
II ing Deacon sliderback point for tn
'e lowest hand. The game went along q
!" right until each of the deacOns had for
II points and James only two, it bein
'e agreed that the man getting five poin
ls first would be stuck for the drinks.
y was Deacon Sliderback's deal, and
'e passed the pack to James, who cut Il
III "Stones of Venice" for the bottom car
e. taking sly glance at it as he did $
d The deacon tossed around the card
Ae and Deacon Magrdder stood pat ar
a. knocked, while James picked up Il
10 "widow" and threw down his hand, o.
'n of the cards being "Seven Lamps of A
ea chitecture, which Deacon Sliderba'
n' eagerly picked up.
~ "1Nhat have you got ?" said Deac
~ Magruder to Mr.. Bowers
w -" "Two small pairs, 'Thackery' a
~, ad George Elliott" replied James, sho
Wv inp down "Pendennis," vanity Fai
~ "Daniel Deronda" and "Romula."
~ "1've got Hugo straight" remark
W. ,aa Deacon Magruder, laying down IL
~ Wv Miserables,' Il. Hommo Quit Ri
.n m Ninety three Toilers of the Sea- a
~ ~. Napoleon the little and guess tha
the boss hand out"
i1r "Hold on" Clipped in Deacon Slid
' back. II can beat that. You say it
straight, don't you9"
"Yes, that's what call it. What hf
you gotr
49,. ''Well, Pve got a Ruskin flush"
marked Deacon Sliderback, exulting
s~ m showing down Modern PaiRters,' d
Gallon Grown of Wild Olives se'
" Lamps of Architecture and Stone
ors Venice"
NO. "No you don't'' said Deacon Mag
a., der: "that's no better hand than
NV Hugo straight"
It. -lxx.,f ,VaI