The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-09-10
THE THOMPsON.ST POKER
CLUB.

AH1ONN k>SDNsSI ROkA FIX
CLUB.
The Rev. Mr. Thankful Smith Has
IA asrash With Mr.. ToOter
Williams.
From the New York TmesI
Last Saturday evening the Thompson
street Poker club held its first regular
meeting of the season. The Rev. Mr..
Thankful Smith, who disappeared from
mortal gaze last May with other Trustees
of a Hoboken picnic, was enthusiastically
welcomed and called to the chair. He
said he had found catfishing in the Adj.
rondacks all that could be desired, and
with this explanation of his absence pro-
ceeded to count out the chips. The
hospitalities of the club had been ex-
tended to Mr.. Gus Johnson's uncle, who
had recently held a lucky sixteen in the
Havana, but it was gloomily explained
that as that magnate had visited the
Zion's festival early in the day it would
be necessary to send shutter or other
conveyance for him, and probably pro-
vide him with bed until midnight at
least. There being bylaw in the con-
stitution, made at the instance of the
landlord and the Roundsman who fire.
quented the vicinity, that the club should
adjourn at A. M. precisely, the visit of
Mr.. Johnsop's opulent relative was reluc-
tantly postponed and the members cut
for deal
Prof. Brick startled the club by taking
a pot. The Secretary made a minute of
the achievement, and the Professor begged
that he might be allowed to withdraw his
resignation, which had been under con-
sideration since March. The game then
proceeded, with steady two-pair streak
favoring Mr.. Cyanide Whiffies and Sc
ries of bobtais rapidly demoralizing the
Chair, when the door softly opened and
Whit of patchouly and MIR. Tooter Will
lams entered together.
His appearance was such as TO dazzle
Mr.. johnson and made even the Elder
Jubilee Anderson proud to be able to
bow to him; but the Rev. Mr.. Thankful
Smith merely pulled his hat lower over
his eyes and requested Prof. Brick,
who sat next to the dealer, to wake up
and ante.
Mr.. Williams leaned elegantly against
the mantel, and holding his cigar in such
a way as to show his new topaz ring
to advantage, diffnsed more patchouly
by daintily fecking dust from his
patent feathers with his handkerchief
The Rev. Mr.. Smith shifted once or
twice, made an irrelevant remark about
sewer gas, and asked Mr.. johnson to
please open the transom. Then he gave
way to furious riot of chips which
frightened Mr. Whiffies' three kings out of
the country.
Whadier playin'a" ?" inquired Mr..
Williams, languidly comparing his bril-
liant timekeeper with the club clock.
"Pokah," said the Rev. Mr.. Smith, who
was dealing. "We'se tryin' to play po-
kah,'' he added, =" an if Brer Anderson
I'll quit lookin' at yo' 2-dollar stem
windin' buggler alarm, an ante, we'll git
dar"
The hand was played in silence, and
when the reverend gentleman drew in
tho pot with two bow-legged jacks, only
the labored breathing Of Mr.. johnson
broke the hush.
Mr.. Williams pocketed the watch,
thoughtfully picked his teeth for a few
minutes, blew a contemplating cloud to-
ward the ceiling, and then drew out a
yellow pocketbook, ostensibly to polish
the silver initials glittering in the cor
ner.
"Wbad am de limmick ?'' he inquired,
sweetly.
"Ds limmick," replied the Rev. Mr..
Smith. as spooner for the party, de linn
mick am whad gentleman keers ter
blow in. Bud dis amt no Cyclone game, -
he added.
Wha-whad am cyclone game p
asked Mr.. Williams.
"Playin' on wind" replied the Rev.
Mr.. Smith, giving the cards double cut,
it being Mr.. Whifiies' deal.
He then proceeded to fail for the nine.
teenth time to fill his flush, and as Mr..
johnson drew in the pot Mr.. Williams
seemed to be inspired with thought.
Skin come in ?" he asked, beaming
on the Elder Jubilee Anderson, who had
Just lost 81.
"Cern'ly," said the Rev. Mr.. Thankful
Smith, taking off his coat and preparing
for business.
"Duss off dat cheer fo' de gentleman
Cy," he said to Mr.. Whites, I" an ef Gui
quits smokin' dat punk, an de Perfesser'l
blow his bref tordslde do ',:we'll git me
ventilation. Pears like q polecat's broke
loose roun' hyar."
This last shot at the patchouly nettled
Mr.. Williams, and the obsequious man
ner with which Mr.. Whites busted Z
chair for him failed to please; but be re
pressed his feelings, sat down and tossed
new 5-dollar bill to the Rev. Mr.. Smith
who was banking rs usual. The gentle
man adjusted his spectacles, critically
examined the bill, wet his fingers ans
tried its smoothnesA and then inquir
ed: s.s .r
"Yo' kissed dat bill good-bYe?''
A. yxy:V:~..na ~~.A - r4As.,.