Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-05
HIRAM HoWE'S NEPHEW.
Beating Kcntuckians at Draw-Pokcr
on the Coney Island boulevard.

% on the Coney Island boulevard.
Many frequcnters OF race-courscs and
trotting-tracts, ms we'll as roadmon who
speed their horses along the Conoy
island boulevard, are acquainted with
Hiram Howc's nephew, Albert. Albert
is remarkable man. He is smaller
and weighs less than Tom Thumb did
when Mr.. Barnum took him TO Europe
and made n fortune by exhibiting him.
II it were not for dcformity that mars
the symmetry of Albcrt's form he
would be the most famous
dwarf in America, il not in
the world. Although he has
reached the age at which the hair of
some men begins TO turn gray, he has
the piping voice OF child; but when it
comes to nerve he Is the equal of any
Long Islander who ever backed horse
or played an unlimited amount of draw.
lii is we'll versod in horse lore, and
often talks about the performances Of
thoroughbreds and trotters;from Boston
and Flora Temples time to the present
day. He attends all tho great races,
and sometimes places moro money on II
horse than many club men who are
looked upon as heavy bettors. His judg-
ment is so good that he generally car
ries more money away than he takes TO
the races, and he always dresses richly
and in good taste. His chief enjoyment,
however, is II quiet little game of
cards.
They tell u story at Hiram's about
several horsemen from Kentucky who
stopped at the roadside hotel after n
visit of inspection to the thoroughbreds
at Sheepshead Bay. While partaking
of refreshments II furious rain-storm
came on that made them rejoice that
they were under shelter.
Lets have II game OF draw to pass
away the time, said one of the party.
Three others were ready to chip in,
but the man who proposed play objected
to sitting down with less than five.
81 guess Albert will join yOu," re-
marked silverhaired turfman, whose
dollars run up into the million.
'Who is Albert2' inquired the Ken
tuckian.
"There he is," replied the turfman,
pointing to the dwarf, who sat with his
back to the party, gazing at horse pic
ture on the wall.
Albert turned around at this and in a
modest way said that he had no objec-
tion to join the party.
The voice struck the Kentuckian's
ear with astonishment, and Albert's
size made the poller-player's eyes ex-
pand with wonder. I'VE don't want
to play with boy" he exclaimed.
"You will find him man enough, said
the silver-haired turfman, with look
of confidence at Albert.
The game was soon in full blast. The
Kentuckians made the cards sail around
the table silently and rapidly. Albert
tilted his little derby down over his
forehead to shade his twinkling eyes,
shuflling and dealing deftly when it
t.>h Ia t,,r los Ia IL, Etynl np1
tens like little man in the occasional
bets he made in the opening
half hour of the play. Then luck began
to turn in his favor. Within an hour
he had made his losses good, and was
nearly three hundred ahead. The Ken
tuciian who had objected to playing
with the boy who had lost more than
the others. Feeling little nettled, he
proposed to raise the limit for $40 to
800.
"Barkis is willin'," said Albert.
They played on with fluctuating luck,
Albert at times increasing his stock of
Jackpot for $40. All went in but
one of the party. In the
draw the man who was lying for
Albert called for one card. Albert
| took three and the other players two
each. The boy had next to the last
say. The first man Clipped in $40 and
the second raised him $l0 which Albert
saw. Then the last man said, ''I'll raise
you 800 my boy"
This drove the other two out. The
boy perred ut his antagonist, and then
placed 5000 on the pile, saying in Il cool
way, 81 see your 800, and go 800
better"
The Kentuckian hesitated u moment,
and then, throwing up his hand, asked:
"Ho'w old are you, my boy?"
'.Thirty-nine next birthday" piped
Albert.
The Kentuckian had drawn to bob
tail flush. Albert held pair of eights.