Morning journal and courier., 1883-06-06
A story of james Gordon Bennett.

A story of James Gordon Bennett.
The following story is told of James Cor
! don Bennett
| After indulging freely he arrived at tn
] Union club one night He sat down in
/ chair, and observing that some members o
called him over and, fishing down into on
| of his pockets, brought up bill.
| 'Peter, my friend, - he said, without look
1 ing at the bill, "take that"
THANK you, SIR" said Peter, his eyes
glistening at the sight of $50 bill.
Bennett, gazing at him for second, said
sleepily: ''Wait, Peter and diving down
into another pocket, brought mp another bill.
''Take that, Peter"
This performance went on for fully five
minutes. Every time the astonished Peter
attempted to retire he was called back, and
the presentation of every kind of bill, from
81 to $50, went on, to the amusement of the
spectators. When no more bills came forth,
Bennett stopped and went away. Peter
asked some of the members what he had
best do with his hat full of money. He was
advised to ask Mr.. Bennett the next time he
came whether he had not given him, by mis-
take, more than he had intended. So the
next day, when Mr.. Bennett appeared, Peter
said to him:
''Mr. Bennett, think you gave me more
of a present than you intended last night" J"
not having the glimmer of an idea how much
he had given, or whether he had given any
thing at all.
GLOW much did give you, Peter?'
Eight hundred dollars, SIR.
The position was delicate one, but not SO
much SO to man with an income of mil
lion year as to an ordinary mortal.
''That was the amount intended Tor you,
Peter" said Bennett, without a sign of an
noyance.
Idle Army Omcers and s'Poker'' Playing.
Washington Correspondent Philadelphia star.I
The Star route business is almost thrown
in the shade by the current scandals concern
ing high officers in the army. Igles and
Morrow, who are full lieutenant colonels the
former in command of his regiment, and the
latter an aid on the staff of the general of the
army; and Wasson and Nickerson both-full
majors, the former West Pointer and a pay
master, and the latter an assistant adjutant-
general, are all involved, and are to be tried
by court martial. Igles and Morrow are
charged with hypothecating their pay ac-
counts to three or more brokers for the same
month; Wasson is charged with embezzle-
ment of government funds. while Nickerson
is accused of securing divorce from bis wife
by perjury and false representations Nor
row and Nickerson being on duty here are
we'll known to us. Both always appeared to
be high-toned and clever men. They belong
TO the swell CluD duu tu6lF uiRil Talk III GQ6
army gave them the entree of what is termed
the best society. Morrow was not much
given to society, however. Nickerson is
persistent fellow, and welded SO much infiu-
ence at headquarters that when, two years
ago, he had finished the allotted time of his
service here (four years. and was ordered
West and an officer of equal rank was brought
from the plains to take his place, he had the
order revoked and the fellow brought in to
take his place sent back to his old station.
Such a breach of discipline caused much
murmuring in the army, but Nickerson had
the friends and the cheek to have the thing
done, and to face down the howl about it af-
ter it was done. Morrow was brought from
the plains, where be had been gaIlantly fight
ing Indians since the end of the rebellion,
by General Sherman to fill the vacancy on
his staff caused by the death of the Ia
mented Audenried. This was more than
two years ago. This Washington army life,
it is believed, was too much for him. He,
like most of his army and navy companions
who are sent here for duty, soon drifted
into what is known as an army and navy
clique, whose time is given to the card table,
the bottle and late hours. 1t is not faro,
roulette and the gambling common to the
ordinary gambling house, but what is known
as short cards-principally the game called
not only the most seductive, but it is one of
the most villainous games of cards extant.
Once it gets a hold on your fancy it is next
to an impossibility to shake it off. You viii
sacrifice anything and everything to crafty
YOUR love of it. It viii make you tricky,
selfish, ungrateful, and, in fact, every thing
that is mean and contemplate It is only
men of the most resolute nature that it does
not make shamefully dishonest and how
many are there of such men in the world ?
Here in Washington there are men high in
public position and high in society or citi-
zenship, or whatever you have mind to call
it. who give every spare moment of their ex-
istence to playing this game of pocket.
Their ages and positions make it look highly
respectable and hence to a young man, or
one coming new to us, it is considered an
honor to be allowed to join the circle and
play the game. The old fellows who are
strictly honest in their business walks of life
become SO hardened in playing poker that
they think nothing of taking the young and
the new and ''skinning' them as long as they
will play.
This explains why the young officers of the
army and of the navy on duty here, with lit
tie to do, are found selling one months pay
account to several brokers. The game is
played at private houses, in the clubs and at
prominent restaurants; and If the truth
were known, the army and navy officials are
not the only ones in the government service
who play.