Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-03
DAMEH'S "REMINISCENCES.
nv r. w HOYT

BY E. W. HoYT.
When SIT down to the old draught-board,
By memory's magic power
Like miser over his golden hoard
people the passing hour
With those from whom my gains I've made,
And those who have gained from me,
AS sitting opposed with disks arrayed,
We sought to force victory.
I first recall that wonderful man,
OF which each village has one
Inylncibe chief of the draught-playing clan,
Who never was known to shun
A fair encounter with any foe
Who never had met defeat.
And of sweet Dameh was held to know
The mysteries all complete.
1t needs must be as thing of course,
That book playing he desplsed
To prove it needless he'd talk himself hoarse,
Because he had analyzed-
At once and fully each opening known,
As soon as presented to him.
Thus oe'r no book had he need to groan,
Or make his eyesight grow dim.
But woefulest hour of woeful day,
Fate made its descent at last
In the form of youth who said he'd play
Some games until the train passed.
The champion gave DER his specs look
When the youth observed each rule,
And said. Il suppose you play by bookf
I'll show you different school,"
But alasi alacki He soon was in
A sorrowtul circumstances,
And squirmed on his seat as though pin
Was used by his foe as lance.
When "Sturges' first' by the youth was gained,
This must" he said, "be draw
"Oh, no." his foe serenely explained,
my school teaches different law"
When "Anderson's second" came in play,
'At least this is drawn" he said.
"Oh, no. the books you despise all say,
That never was loss more dead"
When even the "Goose's Walk" was reached,
He knew not that he was there.
His strongest fortresses all were preached.
Then he quit in blank despair.
"Tis wondrous, this" the veteran cried,
While covertly smiled the youth.
'These forty years to learn have tried.
How long have you-tell the TRUTH"
"a short time only" the youth replied,
Whose hearers were all agreed
That he who vanquished their village pride
Was surely no broken Reed.
CHECKER NEWS.
While passing along Market street, between
Second and Third avenues it was our good
luck to witness most novel game of checkers.
played in barber shop, between two of the
Ionsorial artists. 1t was very spirited game,
and neither had the advantage, though both
seemed playing to win. But the novel feature
was that they had their double corner to their
left hand. So much for tonsorial knowledge of
checkers.
We called at the Soho checker headquarters,
and made the acquaintance OF Thomas ONeil
and James Buchanan. of Western Pennsylvania
challenge fame. We found them to be very
nice young men, but to all of our entreaties we
could not induce them to play, though they
have promised to come down to checker head
quarters.
w. c. Brown has accepted w. H. Tyson's
challenge to play for the championship OF the
State. Play to begin early in March.
There are some in this Western part ready
to take up the gauntlet when the two central
experts get through with each other.
]. P. Reed, it is rumored, is to visit Pittsburg
shortly. While the great luminary will be in
our midst, how Insignificant will all of us feel,
who pretend to be lights in this part Of the
State, of which he is the championl