The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-02-28
0JOE,Sn DASH AT POKER.
How a Bcautirui Expert nj tho Game Lost
His Nerve.

IFS
Albany Tmes.l
TIE most accomplished.looking colored
gentleman in the hotel-porter line in this
tate Is Joe. who oGiciates in that capacity
in the Deiavan House. Unfortunately
Joe has an idea that he is an expert at
polfer. lie is very often anxious that
some Of the distinguished poker experts
who stop Mt the DclGyan should try him
ON tlloao points, but, though Joe makes
about 500 week at the Dc!ayan, he
doesn't usually have money to engage IN
any Of The games Of these experts, be-
caiIso he "bucks' tic faro banks too
often.
Recently n good chance wos gwen Joe
| ~ show his skill. Senator Woodlin was
| playing a simple game against Senator
/ Mccarthy, aud both Of them are acknow-
lodged experts in the game, when Joe
| happened IN the room. Senator McCarty
at once said. "lIerc's my man! Joe,
will you take my hand for few mo
mcnt5? There arc several people down
stairs who want to sec me.
Joe Jumped nj the chance, "Why, OF
course. sab, " he said, "if Mr. Woodin is
agreeable.
Mr.. Woodin was agreeable, and Mr..
| Mccarthy left, first giving Instructions
b. Joe ~ play his best and bet up 70
any amount, dcpositing $4,000 in crisp
notes on the table ia front Of him.
"Now," said he, ~ am responsible
forauylbiug Won maydo. Bet according
10 your own views and III back you.
With that he went ont
Joe dealt, and received n couple OF
onccns. Mr.. Woodin Immediately bet
| 81 ,ODD Joos short hair stood on end.
lie thought that was II pretty savage
sort Of n beginning. He'd like to wait
until Mr.. Mccarthy would come back
Sir. Woodin said that he could not sit
two or three hours over n small bet like
/ thut. aud Joe must either see it or pass.
Joe lot heart, and laid down his hand,
| showing two queens. Mr. Woodin in
adycrtcntly laid down his hand rs he
pulled in the wager and showed lone
/ some pair I'll dcuces
"For the lands sake, Mr. WoOdin,"
snii Joe, in terror, lyon didn't never
bet I'll that money on them two little
ono5?'
"Ihcre's the hand, If you can find
anything else in it, maybe ! didn't
Joe sighed.
"Wcn, said lac, "if you do that often
with me, you'll DO poor man fore Mr..
| Mccarthy gets back"
, Mr. Woodin dealt, aud Joe received a
pmroi aces. He bet $3.50. Mr. Woodin
promplyruisod him 81 900. Joe hcayed
It dreadful sigh.
"Amt there no limit TO this galne?'
hc aslcd, hcIplcssly
ono, We never play with limit, re-
marked Mr. Woodin, sharply.
doc looked At him II long time
"You tried that on me- n little while
ngo,' said he, "and | believe You're
bhliug. ] sec You, and want three
cards"
IIc pat mp his money and drew his
cards. Mr. Woodin saw his countenancc
fail. Mr. Woodin drew one card. Joc's
anguish showed itself in the heavy beads
on his corrugated brow.
Glands nlivc" he muttcrcd
"Wcll, itsyour bet, said Mr. Woodm,
calmly.
Joe had only his two aces
81 reckon I'll pats," he said
"Wcll, what sort Of business do you
call such slow performance ~ tlis?'
Fid Mr.. Woodin, inpatienily, "Ill bet
$3 900 more"
joe glacd like fallen angel and his
hands tomblrd until the cards ratified.
"NE Woodin," he said, piteously,
"irst do inc II favor. | don't want Ia
| play 40 other mans money and VII
never do it again. jest draw all desc
bets and let me quit. Mr., Mccarthy
can do his own betting; won't at dem
| figures
Mr. Woodm sail Certainly divided
up the pot again, and then laid down
his hand. lie had Just exactly that
same pair Of dcuccs! Joe rushed from
! the room.