The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-04-21
SOME GOOD POKER STORIES.
How Henry watterson Got Eycu on n
Jack Pot.

Dd'h "
Like all thoroughbred kentuckians the
editor of The Louisville Courier-Journal,
Henry Watterson, is n great poker PLAYER.
One evening some years ago he was IN New
York city and went to see the first American
PRODUCTION Of Gilbert & Sullivan's opera,
The Pirates OF penDncen Being an ad-
n,irer Of pretty women and pretty music,
the performance caught him, and he was
especially taken with the song, ii Am n
irate King Hc hunmed the air between
the acts and between cloves until he had II
down pat IL was on his lips when he lett
the theatre after the performance, and the
melody wellcd up from his broad chest as he
dropped into u well known resort and en-
countercd a number OF professional friends
There were Ned flarrigan, Nat Goodwin,
Ned Thornc and other choice spirits, ana 10
them Mr.. WattersOn lauded the new or r.
and chased sna,ches of the Pirate Mtg
through his puckered lips. Soon Il mods
game was suggested, aud the custodian ct
the star eyed goddess OF reform willingly
consented to take a hand Luck was not
with him at the start, and the stack in front
Of him dwindled perceptibly. He warbled
nis fayorite song, but the melody brought no
substantial solace. Then he began u relate
"reminiscences Of the times when "he was
with Grant" Meanwhile Billy Barry had
dropped in as an Of. locker, aud when Wat
terson, whom lie did not know, mentioned
his intimate acquaintance with tie Oh nero
Billy stepped on Ned n1rriSans loot, III
q stage whisper asked: "Whos his s!oosi
He was informed that 'his slobs' was all
r!ghs, and then he appeared satisfied Pretty
soon there was jack pot. The editor picked
up his hand, slid tie squeozels past his good
eye and began TO softly whisper the Pirate
King" Ned aud Nat investigated AID
STAYED In. Thorno dropped out Tony Hart.
who was dealing, remained IN with the
others. Nat be. 10 and HalrlSGn saw lin.
Then Mr.. WGttcrson passed his cards IN re-
view before his valuable optic, muS!cally
declared himself a pirate kug and showed
up q so stack Tony Hart gGzed 1t him
s%earchingly over bis hand, saw the 80, and
held his breath. Nat and IaIT.gan passed
out, while Billy Barry shifted TO the other
foot and began - take a d&p interest Ia II.
fun. Wattesson carefully 'ssIn" his card
again aud called Tor ''oae paper Hart
breatLed a sigh Of relief and wanted two
card5. 1t was the iattor's bet, and lie lett his
way carefully with "one SEED Tlo man
with the malody aud tho uncertain vision
hois.ed him q blue stack. Tony c.eyatedb,m
back Then tie editor again u9ed his good
eve as q reyievin. stand, end the i've cards
passed h. in single Gle Again Tic air which
had charmed the Louisville editor loated
upon the atmosphere, and he sluutcd two
blue stacks TO the leeward Of the rake OF
aperture. Tony looked at him Gghost, and
simply called, throwing upon the table, face
upward, three large aces and twj lves. Vat
terson adorned tie green ba!ze with forc
stalwart jacks, aud softly hunlacd Il am a
Pirate King As Ioay witnessed Als az
preparation Of the pot, he responded, Pm
ID If ] don't think you are, and duly
Barry tiptoed softly out OF the room.