Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1890-01-17

ct. Louis Star.
II was IN the winter Of 1879 that Geo.
q. Vest, disrs Rsrding the advice of friends
that the time WAS not pt3pltlous for All
tI-nenber Of the Confederate Senate to
aspire to the Governorshlp Of Missouri,
put IN an appearance at tile State Capitol
during n session If Tbs legislature.
Jefferson City WA IN those days "wide
opeu," and George Vest always bsd a
penehsni Tor dIspoItiug upon the field of
the cloth Of reeu. Vest drop, ed In on q
game Que night and began TO play with
such unsarying luck that 81 midnight
he had won cut the bank roll OF $500 or
$3.50, aud the desler turning over the
box," an indication that there WAS no
more money to play for.
Vest te!t is thou h he was In q winning
mood aud d.d not want 10 give up play
ing, and Mt list he ssiii
what Ia your sxloon and your faro
| outfit here WORTH"
''seven hundred dollars" replied tho
banker.
IAN right, Just put II MP, and will
play against II and give yon q chance to
win back your roll"
This WAS agreeable. Vest resumed play
and In three houFs hsd AZ ain won out tile
| checks, valued vt 500, ami the saloon
was he.
"It's your saloon, George" said the
GAMBLE, 10 he handed over the 'front.'
| door KEY.
Word had spread ever the little CITY of
the peculiar game that was being played,
and the saloon was flied with = motley
c owd OF leg slstors, lobbyists, penitsn.
tiary suaris and the uSus. hAueers-on at
tie $ at Capitol.
Mr.. Ve,t &C eot.d the KEYS, and as he
led the way Ia the bar he said:
Have something with the new pro-
pretnr. gentlemen"
Turning to the bsrkeeper, he said:
81 shall retain you In your prescn.
position. Be kind enough to Walt on the
zen 'lemen.'
7 c gentlemen all had something sew
eral dimes around. and several OF tie n
II 81 ted ON standing treat, 'juss to pa
troui2e Geory :" IL was o'clock before
the party broke up. Veft locked up him
eel, and wa escorted to the Mccarthy
iiofiso by n Jov.ai and not wholly sober
crowd.
ulon parting he eaid: "Gentlennen, !
shah dispose of my saloon at noon to-day
To The highesi bidder at public eale."
Az III o'clock . 'Brge crowd had gath
ertd abaut tie d ,ors OF the closed saloon
Awai ing Vests arrival. When he came
he Q ened the place aud invited oil hands
| To drink.
In the meantime the ex-propr!etor and
his partner had senrrie' arouni aud
raised 500. They took Vest into q side
room ami had a hurried talk, the result
OF which was ho accepted $500 cash Tor
the saloon. which lie hal takea the night
before in lieu Of $500. Tho money
changed hands. and Vest walked out
Into the bar-room aud announced: "Gen-
tlemen, having disposed OF my saloon at
private sale, there will DO no auction to-
day. Gentlemen, have somethipg," and
ind eating the bar with . wave of his
hand, he threw down q twenty dollar
| Oil.
| Tho bartender WAS about to make
change, but Vest said: lyon may keep
the change Tor your services as my bar
keeper, ald desire here to testify to the
fidelity to my Interests you have shown
while In my employ, aud to thank you
upon behalf OF my late customers for
the coui tesy with whioh you have minis
| tered to ther wants."
This sort OF thing wa. kept up for hall
an hour aud Nest then LETT the pl .ce and
has never engaged IN the dramshol
busin ess 81 proprietor since.