The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-04-28
H. wa,.erson as a Pirate King.
st. Paul GlolN


 Like all thoroughbred Kentuckians the editor of the Louisville Courier JoHsYlal., Henry Watterson, is & great poker player. One evening. some years ago, he was In New York City and went to see the first American production of Gilbert X Sullivan's opera, "The Pirates of PenEance.N Being an admirer of pretty women and pretty music, the performance caught him, and he was especially taken with the song, al Am Pirate King" He hummed the air between the acts and between cloves until he had 1t down "pat." It was on his lips when he left the theatre after the per- formance, and the melody welled up from his broad chest as he dropped into 6 we'll known resort, and encoun- tered number of professional friends. There was Ned Harrison, Nat Good win, Ned Thorne and other choice spirits, and to them Mir. Watterson lauded the now opera and chased snatches of the Pirate King" through his puckered lips. Soon & modest game was suggested, and the custo- dian of the star-eyed goddess ofee- form willingly consented to take q hand. Luck was not with him at the start, and the stack in front of him dwindled perceptfbly. He warbled his tavorite song, but the melody brought no substantial solace. Then he began to relate "reminiscences of the times when "he was with Grant :" Meanwhile Billy Barry had dropped in as an on- locker, and when Waiter son, whom he did not know, men tioned his intimate acquaintance with the old hero, Billy stepped on Ned Harrington's foot and In strange whisper asked; "Who's his slobsp'' He was informed that "his slobs" was all right, and then he appeared satis- fled. Pretty soon there was a jack pot. The editor picked up his hand, slid the squeezers past his good eye, and began to softly whisper the "Pirate King" Ned and Nat investi- gated and stayed In. Thorne dropped out. Tony Hart, who was dealing, remained in with the others. Nat bet ten and Harrington saw him. Then Mir. Watterson passed his cards In re- view before his valuable optic, music ally declared himself pirate king and showed up & twenty dollar stack. Tony Hart gazed at him searchingly over his hand, saw the twenty, and held his breath. Nat and IIarrigan passed out, while Billy Barry shifted to the other foot and began to take a deep interest in the fun. Watterson carefully "skun" his card again and called for "one paper" Hart breathcsl sigh of relief and wanted two cards. It was the latter's bet, and he felt his way carefully with "one seed." The man with the melody and the uncer- tain vision hoisted him blue stack. Tony elevated him back. Then the editor again used his good eye as a re- viewing stand, and the five cards passed by in single file. Again the air which had charmed the Louisville editor Aoated upon the atmosphere and he shunted two blue stacks to the lecward of the rake-o1 aperture Tony looked at him aghast, and simply called, throwing upon the table, face upward, three large aces and two flves. Watterson adorned the green baize with four stalwart jacks, and softly hummed q Am n Pirate King" As Tony witnessed his ap- propriation of the pot, he responded "Pm d-d if I don't think you arc,' and Billy Barry tiptoed softly out of the room.