Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-13

game was organized Tor small stakes and he
lost steadily, which made him cross. So the
others thought it would be fun to put up
little job on him, and it was arranged
while he was out of the room for
moment that he should be given
four kings with which to bet against four aces
explanation and restitution to come after the
issue Of the pot. The thing was done, but the
Senator from a certain New England state, who
dealt. was SO clumsy about it that he had to
deal himself about fourteen cards in order to
secure the four noes required. 1t was imagined
that the victim wouldn't notice this, but the
iatter's gaze while betting was going on became
fixed with stony astonishmeut upon the large
fan OF cards in his adversary's hand. and, be-
coming suddenly convinced that he did not see
double, he jumped to his feet, seized his chair
BY the back and smashed the New England
Senator over the head with il. The other play
ers at once interfered aud a fight was with
difficulty arerted. 1t is only very recently,
however, that the gentleman with the four
kings has been SO far made to comprehend the
joke as to consent once more to be on speaking
terms with the Senator who manipulated the
pasteboards SO unfairly.
SENATOR VEST AND THE DRUMMER
Senator Vest is considered the best poker
player in the upper house. He nearly always
wins. Awhile ago he was at Hot Springs. Ark.
with Senator Kenna. Society there was q little
mixed, and so it happened that q very gentle
manly drummer from st. Louis made third
with them in a little game of draw. 1t was per-
fectly fair. but Vest lost all the money he had,
borrowed more and saw it disappear and finally
had to give two or three notes Of hand to square
himself before dropping out, Thereupon he
leaned back In his chair, tanning himself and
enjoying the sport as spectator. Presently
the st. Louis drummer, between the hands, be-
gan making some complimentary remarks upon
very beautiful and elaborate shirt which Vest
had on. He took the liberty of feeling the tex
ture of the garment, and after ascertaining how
much 1T had cost remarked that he would like to
own just such one himself.
Gentlemen" said Vest, rising from his chair
with an air OF seriousness, II will bid you good
night. You may rob me Of all the money
have and all / can borrow, but I'm id il you
can get my shirt"
|. BETTER QUIT DRINKING.
One night there was a little game in south
ern ex-Senator's room at the hotel mentioned.
and it CHANGED that a certain ex-member of
President Arthur's cabinet. distinguished for
his youthful appearance, walked in. There was
very interesting jack pot in progress at the
moment, and the host merely looked up to nod
and indicate q whisky bottle on the corner of
the mantelpiece. The new conner poured ont a
dose into glass, and, as is his wont, he took q
small sip Of the liquor to try its quality before
swallowing the drink. and spat it out into the
oPch ASs SiS VI WIG pAyeEb, VIII WuOm uS was
not acquainted, looked up at the moment from
his cards and, not having seen him take the
whisky, seeing the expectorsted liquid flame
up from the GOALS cried in establishment:
"For Gods sake. young man, if your spit's
as bad as that, the sooner you quit drinking
the bettsrP'
A story apropos Of whisky Is told on the
same ex-senator which is too good not to be
true. He had suspected that his choice Ken
tucky stock was sampled on the sly by his col
~<al
demijohn and supplied its place in the first
demijohn with strong medicinal preparation
calculated to produce most unpleasant
symptoms in case any one partook Of it. I'm
fortunately, he forgot all about the precaution
he had taken when the next evening arrived.
and fetched ont the old demijohn to supply
fluid cheer for a small poker party Of his
friends. Each Of the latter swallowed . por-
ton OF it and promptly demanded what he
meant by Offering them such nauseous stuff az
that as prime Bourbon. He tasted his own share
OF the nectar he had been extolling and inl-
mediately discovered to his horror the mistake
which had occurred. The game promptly
broke up and there was fight to the nearest
apothecary shop for antidotes.
CONGRESSMAN GRAINS STORY.
Congressman Grain, who represents the Gal
weston district Of Texas, tells some remarkable
stories of poker playing in that state during
war time. 1t was an epoch there Of lawless-
ness and mob rule, and personal bravery was
the quality OF leadership. One night be was
playing in game with three or four others.
one of them desperate named Boyd. The
latter took advantage Of the conviviality Of the
proceedings to hold out q card and Grain saw
him do it On the spur of the moment Craiu
said: Boyd, you are cheating" 1t was a fool
ish thing to do, naIess with pistol in hand. be-
cause it meant immediate murder. But. to the
surprise of every one, Bovd simply turned very
pale, laughed and replied: Grain boards at my
house, you know, and 80 can't afford to shoot
him."
The next evening Boyd came unlimited into
Grains room, where some other men were. and
offered to play Grain a game of two-ha nded
''freeZe-out. The latter assented and they sat
down at the table, while the rest drew their
chairs back and waited for the tragedy they
supposed was coming. A few moments later
Boyd again cheated. openly that he doubt
less intended to be caught, and Grain at once
charged him with the offense. Immediately
Boyd leaped to his feet, seized two chairs and
threw them into the ak One OF them struck
Boyd as it fell and he drew the pistol he had
ready, crying: Grain, You hit me with q
ehair!'
LIKE FLASH"
Says Grain in telling the story: my instinct
as criminal lawyer came to my aid saw
that his purpose was to claim self-defense in
shooting me. So, without stirring from nv
seat, pointed my finger at Boyd, who had nae
CoNefSu Will MS gun. anu shiu: 'bOyQ. You
know that isn't true. 1 haven't touched you.
II you want to fight I'll accommodate you any
where YOU like and with any weapons within an
hour Of this time. Let's fight, if need be, but
| there's no occasion for murderr"
Grains GOODNESS OF action saved him and the
duel never came off because friends interfered.
He lived to secure Boyds acquittal ON charge
Of murder subsequently. Later on, however
Boyd was killed with his boots on in O row.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM TIE NORTHWEST.
The Congressman from the northwest are
nearly always great poker players Pettigrsw
OF South Dakota has figured to a great extent
! in newspaper card-playing stories. Not long
ago . yarn was circulated TO the effect that he
had lost his entire fortune at the game in WASH
| ington. but there was no foundation for such q
statement The Senator himself says that he
used to poke" great deal whom he first came
| to Washington - = Delegate from the territory.
He thought be knew how then, hut contact
with the experts here convinced him that be
was mistakes and he has quit. Tha other day
he remarked; let the newspaper boys make
mn m fUr 70 in THAR af<.