The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-05-11
Dan Rice.
How He Tells the Story of His Game of Poke
With Napoleon III

With Napoleon III.
Dan Rice, the famous clown, relates
the following story of his game of poker
with Napoleon ILL.,:
In 1885 l was a raee-rider off Long
Island, n. Y, for John c. Stevens.
Isaac Vanleer was the trainer After
exercising Dosoras, a 4-year old, and Civ
ing him a big sweat, he showed lame
ness. He was entered for post stake,
single dash of two miles Vanleer
sent me on horseback to New York with
letter to Mr.. Stevens, giving him full
particulars of the lameness, advising his
Withdrawal from the race. l arrived in
New York, dismounted in front of the
Hotel de Paris. located. think. at the
corner of Broadway and Leonard street,
inquired for and was shown up to Mr..
stevens private parlor, where | found
party OF the most distinguished gentle
men in New York, sitting around table
and playing game of ''draw." First
was the celebrated Duff Green, of New
York, a great turfman; Moccasin Jack
son, of, New York, the owner of Buck
tail, the first great trotter ever taken to
England; Harry Severn, said to be the
handsomest man in New York, and
owner of Oneida Chief, the fastest pac-
ing horse in the world of that day, or
sInce-I myself riding him a mile on
Long Island track in two minutes and
eight seconds; of course | was light
weight. He was beautiful chestnut
sorrel, sixteen and one-half hands high,
blaze face, four white legs. This was
trial race against time; his owner could
get no matches in this country, and sent
him to England with ''Bucktail," where
he was sold to Lord Elkton for a large
sum. Then came Billy Semon, of Staten
Island, owner Of Dustyfoot, a running
horse whom | afterward rode through
the Western country, which gave me the
nickname Dan Dustyfoot," by which 1
was knowni in sporting circles. Next was
Col. Elliott, the owner of the running
mare, "Betsy Ransom" gentleman
who at that day became somewhat no.
tarious because of wager of $4,000 |
made that he wonld marry the celebrated |
premiere danseuse, Nine. Celeste, with |
in twenty-four hours after being intro
duced to her. She made her first ap-
pearance in America at the Bowery |
Iteater, creating an extraordinary furore |
81 the Queen of Terpsichore. On her
third appearance Elliott was introduced |
and won his bet. She had a child by |
him, daughter, subsequently, l trav-
eied short distance with them West [ |
remember well several times of having
tie little darling on my lap while the
mother was on the stage Elliott and
she lived unhappily together because of
his dissipated habits. | saw that noble
mother for the last time at Wheeling,
w. Va. l learned that the daughter,
after being thoroughly schooIed and cul-
tuTed, married a most estimable gentle
man in Baltimore, Nd Mr.. Stevens
rose from the table when | handed him
a letter, and said, Gentlemen, excuse
me for short time. [ have matter of
mGeh Importance to attend to, and in
a pleasant manner remarked, ..My bov,
here, will play my hand in my absence,n
h.s showing well that ell horsn boys
DIS chair, when he sad, "AIIow me to
Introduce you to my leading rider" each
gentleman shaking hands, including an
and to me an eccentric look
ING individual whom they called Count
Louis" who was guest of Mr. Stevens.
The play went on. | won three straight
games; it came my deal. Count Louis
drew from Mr.. Stevens pile of checks.
and ''staked'' big blind. | .'put up''
the cards while all were laughing at a
distinguished Frenchman's bad English.
L laked in the pile just as Mr.. Stevens
returned handing NE alarge-sized letter,
wien | said: BOSS, l have increased
yolr pile, which | could have made still
lager if 'Dosoras' had not got lame
Ills gentleman" pointing to Count
Luis, "drew 500 worth of checks"
I'All right, my little man." said Mr.. .
SFvens, lit shall be yours.n
"Oui, oui, garcon, by'm by, l pay you {
mre as dat.h ,
This was the refugee, afterward Ma
pdeon Ill, Emperor Of France. He t
did in my debt; peace to his remains. {
Lie him, /, too, have found my Sedan! :