The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-07-06
KRNNA ANn pnKHR.

The Chairman af the Democratic Congress
siOnnl CpnlmIttee TFiosR Hand,
RaiAia0ioa CoTaspAdsnss Pttt'bwoh pi'pateh.
Senator Bowen, Of Colorado, is ackuoWl-
edged to be the finest poker player in
Washington. He Is also very fond of
coaching neophytes in the science, A
short time since Senator Kenna, Of West
Virginia, conceived longing to learn the
principles Of the game Of whichhe had
heard 80 much. OF course he applied to
Bowen for information. The latter was
delighted. For several days he gave kenna
lessons in the room OF the Committee on
Enrolled Bills, OF which Bowen Is chair
man. The young West YirglliRn seemed
10 make rapid advancement, and the Col
orado Senator began to boast Of the pro-
ficiency Of his pupil, 1t was noticed, too,
that while both we're in the Senate cham
Der, they usually occupied adjoining chairs
and were often engaged In eager converse,
This caused some comment, as the Sen.
at0Ts are from widely separated parts OF
the country, belong to opposing political
parties and are on no committees together.
1t was generally understood, though, that
the subject Of conversation was poker,
since Bowen had been Boosting Of Kennas
new requirement,
Well, one night last week q friendly
party gathered in Bowen's room at the
Riggs House. Kenna was there and SO
was Senator Dolph, Of Oregon, whose skill
with cards Is recognized both here and at
home. During the conversation Bowen
started of on the old theme and landed
Kenna's progress under his tutorship,
Dolph suggested that he would be pleased
10 give Kenna chance 10 show his ability
| in u S50.limit game, Kenna looked dubi'
Gus, but Bowen pstted him on the shoulder
and told him to go in. The game began
with Bowen leaning over his pupils chair
to give encouragement, II was stipulated
beforehand, however, that no suggestion
should come from the Colorado man,
Dolph put up his dollar ante and kenna
dealt, The latter held woqueens, q king,
a l0aud Z. With all the eagerness Of
neophyte he came In, and laying the pair
aside, discarded the others, At the
point couple Of Western MEM
bers came In and II was some
time before the game was proceeded
with. Finally Kenna dealt the cards. In
the draw be got q pair Of queens and an
ace. Bowen could hardly restrain his de-
light, and It was evident from his express
sion that he was longing to yell to his pu.
nil: "Go 1t, my boy, for all you're worth"
Kenna did not seem oVerpleased, how.
ever. AS beginners usually do, he laid
the second pair aside from the first and,
resting his elbows onthe table, awaited the
betting. Dolph, OF course, thought his
opponent had two pairs, Having three
aces himself he went about the betting
in very confident way. Putting $50 on
the table, lie looked hard at Bowen to de-
tect any signals which might pass be-
tween the teacher and the pupil. Bowen
honestly kept to his agreemsnt, but his
face was red with suppressed emotion, and
his fingers seemed TO penetrate The back
OF his chair. Kenna, without looking at
his cards again, folded his armg and took
to considering the advipablity Of coming
in. Finally, remembering what his teach
or had said about Dolph's blutiing schemes,
he planked down $50 and called,
"rhree aces" said Dolph, showing his
hand, "Bsats me, replied Kenna; "pve
got only two pairs" At this Bowen could
restrain himself no longer, and he yelled:
"What in - are you talking about two
pains, KennR2 Look at your hand, man"
~ have looked at IT," said Kenna,
quietly, u had one pair Of queens aud l
drew another pair. Two pairs, and the
other card was an ace" Then there was
wild laughter from all the lookers.on OK.
cept Bowen, who sank in a chair with a
despalring look at his promising pupil,
Kenna Caught on" after WHILE but It
was too late. He had thrown up his
band, and the pot belonged to Dolph. He
laughed heartily himself when he saw the
point, and confessed that he had some
things 10 learn about poker yet, Bowen
gave up his pupil, and freely expresses
the opinion that a man who does not know
that four queens bsat three aces eau never
carry the Democratic party through q
Congressional campaign.