Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-02
A GAME OF POKER.
Played on Mississippi Steamer-A Fatal
Feud Followed.

From the San Francisco Chronicle
Il have seen many a game Of poker" said
gentleman at the Palace hotel San Francisco.
10 Representative of the Chronicle. '.but the
first ever saw had a tragic ending that is re-
called to my mind every time see a card"
do you mind telling the story2"
Would you care to hear il? The affair hap
pened before the war. My father. who had
large cotton interests, which were almost de-
stroyed by certain proclamation that made
the south shudder, took me on a trip which ne
made from New Orleans TO ST. Louis. The
Mississippi steamer Belle Of Memphis was
crowded with passengers, nearly all of whom
were men. We left New Orleans at O'Clock
in the afternoon, and fifteen minutes later
there were four or five games of poker in pro-
gress. Nearly everybody gambled on the
steamers. Many men lived on the
river and made the trips for
the money which they could get out OF the
passengers. The cotton-raisers, who went TO
81. Louis 10 spend their funds, often reached
that town without penny, and were forced to
return on the same boat. Among the passen-
gers were two planters who were avowed enc
mics, but by some fate had sat down at the
same table. They were business men Of New
Orleans, and the ill feeling between them was
known TO many on board the Belle of Memphis.
One or them had with him a large. fne-look-
ing negro, who acted as body servant and who
was seldom absent from his master side The
boy remained in the cabin and watched the,
play. which grew more exciting with every
revolution of the steamers wheels
Toward night some of the gamblers had
lost all their cash and were betting the cotton
or other merchandise they had on board for
the St. Louis market. Up on deck the rousta-
bouts were playing craps by the liglr of
torches that lit up the river in a weird wav
Morning found the men still playing The big
negro watched his master very earnestly, and
after speaking TO him once or twice. was ordered
out of the cabin. As lac went on deck my father
spoke TO him.
You seem interested in the game said be-
:" L is was the reply. 'Tze the stakes on
that han, an eff Cob mel Gihoux doan win TIE
Wahdon's niggah. lie nightly intahested in
that game
Warden won, and I saw the colored bow
turned over 70 him by Giroux, who rose from
the table dead broke. He went on deck. and a
number of people watched him 10 see whether
he would shoot himself or jump into the river.
He did neither.
after a while Warden appeared with a COM
panion, walked back and forth laughing aud
joking. They approached Giroux.
You're a cheat" said the loser 10 Warden.
The latter jumped toward the speaker. but
his friend prevented any violence. The boat
was nearing Natchez-under-the-H and it
was arranged that the time the Belle waited at
the wharf should be devoted 20 sQuarine ac-
counts. That was a common thing. The river
boats stopped at Nachez, and many a party Of
four or 1--WE men that went away for am hour
lacked one or two of the number when thew re-
turned.
1t was beautiful night. The moon was al
most full. and shed a bright, white light by
which you could tell the time by your watch.
Natchez was astir when we reached the wharf.
1t was one of the busiest of the river towns. but
its dismantled hotel and tumble-down houses
look now like ghosts of its former prosperity
when a party of men left the Belle some OF
the citizens followed they knew a duel was
about 10 be fought. WardOn's new possession.
the negro, accompanied the party, and the
winner lost no opportunity of letting the unfor-
tunate boy understand that he had changed
masters.
Under the bluffs. from which hatcher takes
its name, the men came 10 a halt; fifteen PAGES
were marked off; Giroux and Warden laced
each other, pistol in hand.
"'Ready? One-two-threer
''The last word was lost in the report Of War
don's pistol. Giroux dropped his weapon still
loaded. The colored boy and a number of
persons went TO the side of the wounded man.
He was unconscious and never spoke. The
negro took his pistol from his hand and raised
his head. No sign of recognition was given
After a minute or two: He's dead the colored
boy said.
Throw him down and come with me- cried
Warden, as he started for his steamer.
The negro laid the dead mans head on the
ground. arose to his feet, and hurried after his
new master. Within the minute a pistol shot
was heard; Warden was dying when the men
reached his side. He could not tell who had
shot him, but Girouxs negro had disappeared
and some of those in the crowd said he was q
mighty valyble niggah.'
The men were left at hatcher under the
Hill, and fifteen minutes after the Belle Of
Memphis left the wharf half dozen games Of
cards we're in progress; never play cards."
DTPHTHERIA IN SPRNoFIELD.-Diphtheria is
alarmingly epidemic in Springfield, Mass. IL is
not confined TO any particlar locality. but has