Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-28
Thompson Street Poker Club.
From tho Yeao York Times.

At the regular meeting OF the Thompson
Street Poker Club, Saturday evening, the
Treasurer, Mr.. Gus johnson, glOOmily an
nOunced that owing to the emaciatiOn Of
the Kitty devoted to paying last months
rent, the landlord had thoughtfully gar
nisheed the chips and refused to surrender
them until the deficiency had been COW
cred by special appropriation. This finan-
cial thunderbOlt paralyZed the meeting
for several minutes, when Mr.. Tooter Will
liams rose to question of privilege and
wanted to know II he couldn't step right
around the corner and buy a quart of
beans.
"Cer'nly," replied the Rev. Mr.. Thank
full Smith, who was in the chair.
Mr.. Williams put on his coat.
~N appint Cy Whites N Gus johnson
on de committee" added the chair.
MIR. Williams looked astonished.
"Whuffer yo' pint de cOmmittee?" he
asked.
Aim yo' goin' fer dem beans?" asked
the Rev. Mr.. Smith.
"Yezzah," said Mr.. Williams, affably.
"Yo' want dem beans for pokan?"
"Cer'nly." Mr.. Williams here evinced
eye. "We-we'se played bean pokah be-
loah, he added.
"We has," replied the reverend gentle
man. eve played bean pokah, IN yo'
went out N bought de beans, IN | was
'sponsible fer de beans, IN lose fo'teen dol
lahs on less'n pint. Dey was less'n a
pint when de bank SOP de beans IN more'n
quart when it cashed 'em in. No, sab.
Pse de last man in de worp ter spress
doubts bout mem bah's honah, but wen a
membah am so anxious ter be Obligin' n
buy beans, an Pm terbe 'sponsible, want
de commIttee ter go long N keep tally of
dem beans wifi bell punch"
Mr.. Williams and the committee went
for the beans, Prof Brick and Elder Jubi-
lee Anderson sat in solemn silence, and
the Rev. Thankful Smith polished his
glasses, tilted back his chair, and whiled
away the time counting the cards ana ia
milariZing himself with their earmarks,
whistling softly and preserving a cheer
tut demeanor until Mr.. Williams and the
committee returned.
There was no incident worthy of pro-
found attention for an hour. Elder Jubi-
lee Anderson and Mr.. Cyanide Whites
we're losing as usual. Prof. Brick was
seven beans ahead, Mr.. Gus johnson was
about even, the Rev. Thankful Smith had
drawn to nine Pushes and failed, and Mr..
Tooter Williams, who had steadily called
his every bet, was playing entirely on vel
vet, and INDUCED in flow of good humOr
and Oriental repartee which delighted the
company. AT last "a jackpot was In order,
and every body braced up and knew that
there was going to be trouble.
1t was Prof. Bricks deal, and his grave
deliberation and extreme care with each
card showed that he realized the import
ance of giving everybody a fair snow.
The Rev. Mr.. Thankful Smith, who sat on
his lett, skinned his hand with great nice
ty, and then, with benevolent smile at
the company In general, Knocked to signi-
fy that he would not open.
MIR. Gus johnson had two queens and a
faint hope OF third, and timidly opened
the pot Ior six beans. Elder jubilee An
derson came in. Mr.. Cyanide Wnifles
pinned his faith to "A diamond bob-tail and
followed suit. Mr.. Tooter Williams then
let loose torrent of beans, and an
nounced in q voice OF war that he would
raise 1t Sc. Prof. Brick turned pale aud
MIR. Gus johnson had cOngestive chill,
and all eyes were turned upon the Rev.
Thankful Smith, who skinned his cards
again, smiled a trifle more benevolently,
and inquired:
"Yo' rise dat seben dollahs, ToOt?'
"six dollahs," responded Mr. Williams.
'ILin yo' do datY' asked the reverend
gentleman.
"Yezzah," replied Mr.. Williams, with
the air OF one VINO meant business. "Dar
amt no lmmick," he added.
mo limmick, an yo' rise it six dol
labs" said the EeV. thankful Smitp,
sweedy. "GwIne ter play regular JAY
Cool game OF the panty, is yo'2 Kyaru't
yo' let dc POI niggahs in de top gallery
cheaper'n datY he inquired. II kin
squawnder fo' dollahs IL yo' femme in."
t'Pm snOutin' fer ak dollans," said
Mr.. Williams, CURLY.
He knew that the Rev. MIR. Smith
couldn't open the jack and resented his
evident desire to delay the game. Besides
he had three jacks.
''Make it five niuety-fye N let me save
a kyar farew asked the Rev. Mr. Smith,
humbly.
Mr.. Williams signifed by naughty
gesture that he wouldn't abate penny.
The Rev. Mr.. Smith skinned his cards
again. Then he began counting out
beans.
'Yo'se gwine ter call 20 asked Mr.. Will !
Jams, with a malevolent grin.
'sNO. ToOt," replied the reverend gentle
man. showing in his pile. "Dar am six !