Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-10
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Boyd Winchester On Poker.

OUR NEW MINISTER To SWITZERLAND DIS
COURSES ON THE GAME-HIS SET-To WITH
WATTERSON.
Special Correspondence ofthe New YORK World
The slender, wiry figure medium height. rest
ing both elbows on the cherry bar back of him
was pointed out as Boyd Winchester, the new
minister to Switzerland, Henry Watterson's
friend, and "the best poker-player in Ken
lucky" a face impressive but for pair of rest
less Steel-gray eyes bespoke his ability to sit
behind four flush and win, and a few tell-tale
streaks of gray in the brown mustache emnha.
sized his fifty years. He stopped short in the
middle Of a story when Interrupted, and was
quite willing To tell of the few plans he had
formed for residence abroad. 81 expect to leave
about June 10TH" he explained, "but beyond
that there is nothing fixed The conversation
stages led up to poker. His reputation as q
sSiiiiul player was touched upon, and the ques-
ton haZarded whether that, as in the case of
Minister Schenck, had any thing to do with his
appointment.
The soft hat was pushed rakishly to one side
on the back of his head, and his gray eyes
out with:
"Now, see here: have no desire to pose as
the great national poker player of this country
ihe papers have gone entirely too far in max
ing common talk of my prowess at the card
a modest little game. Every Gentleman mi" IN
Kentucky plays the game and so do l. But
do not SIT down with everybody. play only
with friends, among gentlemen, and then only
IN MODEST way. cannot see why should be
singled out as Americas national player.
IT was explained that the appointment of
Minister Schenck, who introduced the game
INTO England, the appointment last month of
warren Green, of Kentucky, a skiilful PLAYER
TO the richest consulate in Japan, and his own
appointment, argued that there was some subtle
connection between diplomatic business and
the game of poker.
II suppose" he said reflectively, pulling his
nat back to its normal position. ~ suppose they
believe that q man who plays Ioker we'll can do
anything. In the case of Minister Scnenck that
great player was certainly wrong He laid him
self open to criticism by publishing his hook ON
the subject. 1t may be true that the work was
Tor private circulation Ony, but as q representa-
tive of this country he should not have pub
iished 1t. The rules were too good AS for nv
self, my health has been bad and have not
played for long time, it is singular that the
New York papers should pitch into me as they
have done. They have swollen the matter ont
OF all proportion. The Sun has been most Sc
we're upon me, and yet am told that Mr.. Dana
never goes TO bed without first INDUCING in a
game of draw, and he doesn't play WELL either /"
Dir. Winchester spoke warmly of his friend
Henry WattersOn as he moved off and a friend
standing by told OF the only time when the life
long friendship between the two came near
being ruptured. 1t was after a prOtracted siege
at the game, and Winchester stood rolling a
wad OF bills into a convenient roll. He stOpped
placed one hand affectionately on the editors
shoulder and said with yaWn: sit is mo nm
playing with YOU" The great man looked his
surprise, and the new minister added ambi GU.
ousiy, but with conviction: at is too easy too
easy, and both went sadly home,