Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-24
Gen. Scott at Chess aud Whist.

Gen. E. d. Reyes in Fifty Years Observation
The general was fond of the game of chess. at
which he was fairly skillful. / often PLAYED
with him, and think my game stood to his as
about two to five: nevertheless he beat me as
often as four times in five. Whenever bv chance
or skill, gained threatening position he be-
came irritable. and If did not move quickly he
would angrily calculate: Have you moveds"
One day we were playing in the parlor of the
hotel at West Point. and Mr. Ogden Hoffman
was looking on. In the process Of that game
which wOn my chief was uncommonly tart. /
took my time and while was considering a
critical position he reached out his hand and
took up periodical and opened it to an article
on geology do you think" said he TO Mr..
Hoffman, THAT shall be able to master this
SUBJECT before the young gentleman gets ready
to mover" After we had separated Mr. Hof-
man came to console me for what might think
was rudeness on the part of nv chief s.What
did the general say" said /; ''being absorbed by
my game and determined to beat him, paid no
attention to his remarks; but if there had been
a hostile tone in his voice should have de-
teeted 1t at once That's the generals manner
when he is impatient, and it never hurts me-"
The chief diversion Of General Scott and the
one to which he Was most attached. was the
game of whist. The idea that without a
knowledge of the game of whist mans old age
must necessarily be unhappy is said to have
originated with Talleyrand The old French
of the opinion of vast numbers of people of all
nations, that whist and other games with cards
are the most efficient promoters Of cheerfulness
in old age. Whist. although it is the most gem
teel of all games is the one that most frequently
gives rise TO alterations and disputes All con-
firmed whist PLAYERS end every game with q
wrangie, and General Scott was not easily
pleased with his partner. Occasionally. to make
up the complement, was called on to take a
hand. 1 disliked the game and acknowledged
Il n!Gypd hadty. hlt tha do
that i couldn't play at all, and when he had me
tor a partner he was obliged to PLAY against
three. thought no one could please him, for
he even quarreled with dummy
The range OF General SCOTS amusements was
comparatively restricted. Apart from the en-
joyment he derived from ambition. fame. and
reading, all his principal pleasures were en-
braced in the following list: COnversation--the
table, including wine-the games of whist and
chess. He was entertained by aristocraric as
sOcations, bv travel, fine horses, and his own
personal appearance. Until the conclusion of
the Mexican war. tobacco was q necessity with
him; subsequently, he wholly renounced the use
of tobacco in all its forms. go" For balls and
dancing parties, hunting, fishing. operas and
plays, he had little inclination. although his DO
sition made it necessary for him to attend them
frequently. seldom heard him speak Of operas
or theatrical entertainments. hunting, fishing,
racing. and he appeared Indifferent to all such
diversions. He disiked solitude was cheered
with the company of intimate friends, and gen.
orally regarded him as . happy man.
Full OF Deceit.
From the Boston Gazette
1.-The world is full of deceit" said old Mr.
squaggs. and wimmin Is mostly at the bottom
of it,"
:" know it." said old Mrs. Sauaggs; "it is
after man gets wife that he begins to prac-
tice deceit. II he hadn't wife he wouldn't need
to lie 30 much about where he spends his eve
nings. You are perfectly right. It's the women
that cause the deceit"
Old Mr.. SQuaggs became very thouQhtful.