Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-05
Why MIR. TOOter Williams {
POkah.',

-HENRIETTA r. ELLIOT
Why MIR. TOOter Williams ssSpises
From Life"
Mr. TOOter Williams was late at the meeting
OF the Thompson street Poker Club, Saturday
evening; but as he had Elder Boss Dickerson in
tow the secretary RENTED the usual fine 1t
was conidentialy learned that the Elder had
just received $3.50 on an extensive kalsomin-
ing contract. and was probably good toras much
more, and as Mr.. Williams had already PLAYED
with the deck of cards now upon the table and
MI RUDE jackson had consented fora small per-
centage not to play. but to sit in a sOciable 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 Profess
sOr Brick. the Elder shucked of his ulster. pro-
duced corpulcnt wallet. purchased 81 70 worth
OF blues and reds. and opened up the game with
an expression of determination and thumpinr
blind, which made the eXcitablc Mr.. JOhnson's
eyes stand out like those on an apOplectc crab
Seven hands were played and as Mr. Jackson.
who sat behind the Elder had evidently forgot
ten the code OF signals to the extent that he
Wlnked with his right eye when he should have
winked with his left, Mr.. Williams was already
out nncty-seven cents, and was CORRESPONDENCE
mad.
At last. however, Mr. Jackson was made
aware of his error by a searching kick delivered
beneath the table, and new deck, which had
been thoughtfully placed on ice by the Rev
produced. 1t was Mr.. JohnsOn's deal, and the
Elders blind
Everybody came in.
The Elder raised the blind 65 cents
The decisive moment had come.
II rise dat rise dOllah," said the Rev Thank
with 10 pa nfn -I,c
to fill bObtal
Il sees yo' dat. and lift yo' dollah mo-"
ventured Mr.. Williams.
Il 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 ned take one. and
the Elder concluded to play what ne had
Mr.. Smith led out with two dollar stack.
Mr. Williams slowly pulled cut a corpulent wal
let, fixed belligerent glare apparently on Mr.
Smith banged the wallet heavily on the middle
OF the table, and said impressively:
81 goes yO dat two. an six dOahs rise"
Il rise yO' six" said the Elder, but without
putting up chips.
The Rev Mr.. Smith dropped ont Mr. Will
liams pontf to the wallet and said:
Il goes yO six mo-"
The Elder raised one foot and placed it neatly
on top of Mr. Williams wallet. and said:
Il rises dat ten"
"Whars de mOney?" injured Mr. Williams
with polite smile.
"Whar's yo' money!" retOrted the Elder as
sweetly.
Mr. Williams pointed to the wallet underneath
the Elders heel.
got Jess as much leather on dis var table as yo'
has
"Whad yO mean by dat?" asked Mr. Williams
Put up er shet. said the Elder
Mr.. Williams drove his knife through his cards,
pinning them to the table and called ont the
no
thOughtfnlly whistled time, drew a razor. and
seemed to be trying it's edge on the surface of
his bottom card. Mr.. Jackson watched Mr.. VIII
liams' hand to see that nothing got away, and
MIR. Johnson kept his eye on the pack.
Mr.. Williams returned triumphantly. and
counted out thirty dollars, which he had evil
IDENTITY borrowed from Mr.. Smith.
Il calls" he said.
The Elder put up his razor, shook 500 out of
the wallet, made up a dollar more with mutilated
coin. some pennies and postage stamp, and
said briefly:
"Whad yo' got?"
$50 Kings" said Mr.. Williams with deadly
CLEAN in his eye.
mot good said the Elder.
"Wha-whad!" faltered Mr.. Williams.
go aces" With this the Elder showed four
aces, swept the pot into his hat and left the
room. The five sat dazed.
u done guy him three aces an two trays, sho,"
said Mr. Johnson.
81 put dat han up mysf," asseverated Mr..
Smith, bewildered
81 seed bOfe dem trays in he ham," observed
Mr.. Jackson.
Mr. Williams said nothing but silently exam
ined the Elders hand. Finally he inquired
hoarsely:
"Did he hev razzer?''
"Yezzah." said Mr.. Jackson; che done play
with he raZzer de whole time yO' was Outen de
ROOM"
Mr.. Williams rose with whitening look, and
put on his coat
''Whad's de matter Toot?" inquired Mr.. Smith;
'HOw yO' spain hit?"
Mr.. Williams pointed to the ace Of diamonds,
lately in the Elders hand. "Gin any ni9gah de
tray er diamonds an a raZzer an tree aces and
whad kin TO kings do? Gwuffum heah. He
done played me outen thirty dollahs on er scraped
tray. Dads what makes me 'spise pokah'
With this Mr.. Williams left the room