Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-27
Poker Won at the Polls.
HOW BROWNE. OF VIRGINIA, BLUFFED HIS WAY INT
CONGRESS-RULES OF HIS WINNING G aME.

HOW BROWNE. OF VIRGINIA, BLUFFED WAY INTO
CoNGRESS-RULES OF HIS WINNING GAME.
A telegram to the n. Y. San from Richmond,
Dec. p. says: Congressman-elect Browne, OF the
ninth Virginia district, will probably be recOg
niZed as the finest poker player in Congress when
he goes to Washington. He has the reputation
of having more profound knowledge OF the sci
ence OF poker, and of having raked in more big
the mountainous southwest, where poker is cult
waited aSsiduOuSy as the meagre crops and
where q knowledge OF the game is regarded as
necessary part OF every mans education His cleo
ton To Congress was due in great measure to
his poker reputation. The district went demo-
cratic two years ago by Il considerable majority,
and was reckoned 10 be safe this year with the
popular Henry as the democratic candidate. When
Browne was nominated, however, a change came
over the face OF things. His card reputation was
widespread, and every true southwest Vir-
gilman has an intense admiration Tor skillful
poker player, IL looked as though Browne would
attract TO himself enough democratic admirers TO
elect him.
Poker became a sort OF issue In the campaign.
although Browne never boosted OF his talents in
his speeches except once when he offered to settle
the contest by game with Henry. His followers,
however, extolled his poker ability for all it was
worth. From every stump In the district the
Browne nen spoke gl0Wingly OF their leaders featS
at the card table OF his lucky draws, his wonder
1ui nerve and the numerous big jack pots he had
raked in. The mOuntaineers, while listening to
this, forgot the tariff and the other dry issues
which the democratic StumperS had dwet upon.
Political economy had been Greek to them but
they could understand and grow enthusiastic over
stories OF fabulous pots raked in a pair of
deuceS and hundred dollar bluffs on ten high
Every place Browne went he cheered almost
as much by democrats republicans, and fire.
quently gave practical demonstrations to the
voters that his reputation was honestly earned.
When election day came around iJ was evident
that henry StOell was away down. and the result
OF the vote proved this to be the Case Browne
came forth victorious by several thousand ma
jOrity, gaining about two thousand democratic
votes.
Mi. Browne is well adapted by nature for skill
in the science OF poker. His face becomes abso-
lutely eXpreSsiOnlesS when he wants it 10 be so.
Nothing excite him during q game. His nerve
is wonderful. The stories told OF his bluffs would
I'LL a volume, and readable one, too. His only
equal in biullinS is Gaines, OF Petersburg. These
two met once and tired their weapons After
making the pot several hundred they showed up.
Gaines having a pair OF deuces and Browne pair
OF tours.
Mr.. Browne plays by rules He is a real scten
tifc player IN his own peculiar way. few OF his
rules he wrote out for an acmiring cOnstituentlast
Iall. Here are some extracts:
1. Never bet the first hand unless you have three
OF kind or better
II you have pair and an ace hold on to the ace in
5; Never draw to kings.
4 If there are more than two men in a Jackpot
never have any confidence in anything but full hand
D Never draw to a middle straight
D. Never draw to "a straight flush
s. your opponent after looking at his ards drops
them careiessly and folds his arms, keep out.
during the betting-not even when picking up Your
Never allow pot to he taken without call.
Some players may doubt the expediency OF some
OF these rules but they have certainly stood Mr.
Browne III good stead during his scientific career
lis HONE MADE HIS PRIsoN.-Mr John r. Nor
RS, the Baltimore Sam reporter, who was sent TO
Jail Tor refusing divulge The sources OF certain
Information on which article In that paper was
based, spent Christmas day in the society OF his
family. The sheriff, Mr.. Fledderman, understand
/ H. that he had been committed to his custody
! took MIN from the warden OF the ial Friday at
/ ternoon and, on the understanding that he had
discretion as TO the place and method OF commit
nent In all cases OF contempt, allowed Mr. Morris
/ 10 be confined in his own home in custody OF a
deputy sheriff. OF course, until the period OF his
/ release. III Is also understood that the moment
the term OF the present grand jury expires he viii
be set at liberty on habeas corpus proceedings.
| An EXPRESS CAR RoBBED-When the KirkwoOd
accommodation train, east bound, on the Missouri
Pacific road reached Cheltenham, one OF the west
ern suburbs OF 81. Louis, last Friday evening
seven bars of silver were put into the Pacific Ex-
press c0mpany's car attached TO the train but
when the express matter was taken from the car
/ some time after The train arrived at ST. Louis
only five bars could be found, and the missing Sill
yer has not yet turned up. There Is no cew to the
roober The silver was shipped by the ST. Louis
Smelling and Refining company, and was con-
signed TO the Third National Bank OF philadelphia
| The bars weighed about seventy pounds each and
were valued at $1,000
BEATING BICYCLE REcORDs.-The long distance
! bicycle race at Minneapolis closed Friday night
Shock won, making ,i05 miles In l42 hours Nor
gan, 40 miles, and Mile. ArnaindO $50 miles
The best previous record was ,4O4 miles and three
laps In la hours.
| Pinkeye has broken out In Buffalo, and 400
horses are now down with the maiady and 20
horses have died.
The strike OF the coke WORKERS OF the Connells
vile, Pa, region, which was 10 have inaugurated
SATURDAY, was averted by compromise by which
| wages VIII be slightly advanced.
Inc case Tor the defence In the trial OF Rev. Mr.
huraros has been opened in Philadelphia.
PfOf- =. a. King, or Philadelphia, ACCOMPANIED
DS young man Of Richmond, made balloon
ascension from the latter city on SATURDAY.
Petersburg.