Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-12-27
rhe rhompson street Poker oIup.
IN. i. LIfe.l

IN. Y. Lliel
Mr.. Tooter Williams was late at the
meeting of the club, Saturday evening;
but rs he had Elder Boss Dickenson in
tow, the secretary remitted the usual
fine. II was conlidentially learned that
the elder had just received seventeen
dollars aud fifty cents on an extensive
kalsomining contract, and was probably
good for as much more, aud as Mr.. VIII
liams had already played with the deck
OF cards upon the table, and Mr.. Rube
jackson had consented for q small per-
centage not TO play, but to sit in a soci-
able way behind the elders chair, the
game promised to be one of extraordinary
interest.
Having been introduced TO the Rev.
Mr. Thankful Smith, Mr.. Gus johnson,
and Professor Brick, the elder chucked
off his ulster, produced q corpulent wal
let, purchased one dollar and seventy
nine cents worth of blues and reds, and
opened up the game with an expression
OF determination and humping blind,
which made the excitable MIR. Johnsons
eyes stand out like those Of an apoplectic
crab. Seven hands were played, and as
Mr.. Jackson, who sat behind the elder.
had evidently forgotten the code of sig.
nails to the extent that he winked with
his left, Mr.. Williams was already out
ninety seven cents, and was correspond
ingly mad.
At last, however, Mr.. Jackson was
made aware Of his error by a searching
kick delivered beneath the table, and a
new deck. which had been thoughtfully
placed on ice by the Rev. MIR. Smith
before the company assembled was pro-
duced. IL was Mr.. Johnson's deal and
the elders blind.
Everybody came in.
The elder raised the blind sixty.five
cents.
The decisive moment had come.
II rise dat rise dollah, said the
Rev. Thankful Smith, with the calmness
of one who expects to fill bobiail.
81 sees yo' dat, and l lift yo' q dollah
mo- ventured Mr.. Williams.
~ calls" said the elder.
Mr.. Smith also called, and the three
proceeded to draw cards. Mr.. Williams
wanted two cards; the Rev. Mr. Smith
guessed he'd take one, and the elder
concluded TO play what he had.
Mr.. Smith led out with q two-dollar
stack. Mr.. Williams slowly pulled out
corpulent wallet, fixed belligeront
glare apparently on Mr.. Smith, banged
the wallet heavily on the middle of the
table, and said impressively;
II goes yo' dat two, an six dollahs
rise."
II rise yo six, +" said the elder, but
without putting up chips.
The Rev. Mr.. Smith dropped out.
Mr.. Williams pointed to the wallet and
said
al goes yo six mo-"
The elder raised one foot, and placed
il neatly on top of Mr.. Williams's wallet
and said;
81 rises dat ten"
"Whar's de money!" inquired Mr..
Williams, with polite smile.
'Whars 30 money" retorted the
elder, as sweetly.
Mr.. Williams pointed to the wallet
underneath the elders heels.
"Dat's all right, den" said the elder;
"I'se got jes as much leather ON dis var
table as yo' hns."
"Whad yo' mean by dat!" asked Mr..
Williams.
'Put up er shet up" said the elder.
Mr.. Williams drove his knife through
his cards, pinning them TO the table,
and called out the Rev. Mr.. Smith for q
consultation. The elder thoughtfully
whistled tune, drew razor, and
seemed to be trying its edge on the sur.
face OF bis bottom card Mr.. Jackson
watched Mr.. Williamss hand, to see
fhaf ,..tl ,,aN a,x1 IAh
kept his eye on the pack.
Mr.. Williams returned triumphantly,
and counted out thirty dollars, which
he had evidently borrowed from Mr..
Smith.
81 calls, he said.
The elder put up his razor, shook
twenty-nine dollars out of his wallet,
made up dollar more with mutiatcd
coin, some pennies and n postage stamp,
and said briefly;
"lvhad yo' gotY"
$50 kings, said Mr.. Williams, with
deadly CLEAN in his eye
''Not good" said the elder.
whad?' faltered Mr.. Williams.
s'Fo' aces" With this the elder
showed four aces, swept tho pot into his
hat, and left the room. The five sat
dazed.
81 done guy him three aces an' two
trays, she, said Mr.. johnson.
II put dat han up mysif, asseverated
Mr.. Smith, bewildered.
81 seed bofe dem trays in he hand,
observed MIR, jackson.
MIR. Williams said nothing, but silent
ly examined the elders hand. Finally
he inquired hoarsely;
"Did he hev razzerg"
''Yezzah, said Mr.. jackson, che done
play with he razzer de whole time yo'
was outen de ROOM
Mr.. Williams rose with a whitening
look, and put on his coat.
"What's de madder, TootY' inquired
Mr.. Smith. "llow yo' 'splain hitg'
MIR, Williams pointed to the ace of
diamonds, lately in the elders hand.
''Gn any niggah do tray or diamonds an
razzer an tree aces, and whad kin TO
kings dos Gwuifum heah. He done
played me outen thirty dollars on er
acraped tray. Dads whad makes me
'spise pokah.
With this Mr.. Williams left the room.