The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-22
wATTERsoN A PIRATE KING.
How Ee Eummed the Tune Over
Game of Poker

| How he Eummed the Tune Over q
| Game of Poker.
| Nat Goodwin's most celebrated game OF
poker, says New York writer in the
| Washington Post, was the historical one in
which Col. Henry Watterson, of the
Louisville Co1trie r-JourndL, figured. 1t
took place one night in room in the Nor
ton House, then great resort for profess
sional people, on Union square, in New
| York city. Edward Harrigan, Tony Hart
| Watterson and Goodwin were the partici-
pants. Col Watterson had been to the
theater and had witnessed the first American
production Of Gilbert and Sulivan's opera,
| Tho Pirates of Penzance.n He had en-
| joyed the performance hugely, as he said,
and he was particularly taken with the bass
solo. 81 Am Pirate King" which he per-
sisted in singing or humming during the
progress of the game.
Billy Barry, now Of Barry and Fay
came into the room where they were play
ing in search of Harrigan, and when the
two had finished their business Barry stood
watching the play.
He had never before seen Col. Watterson,
and did not know who he was. So when the
great editor began to talk about game he
had once been in with Gen. Grant, Barry
regarded him curiously, as though he be-
lieved him tobe brilliant liar, and, behind
his hand, he hoarsely whispered to Good
WHO:
II say, Nat, who is his slobsp"
Mr.. Goodwin concealed a smile and in
formed Barry that the gentleman was
great editor from Kentucky, while "his
slobs,n who mad overheard the query,
looked daggers at the little Irish comedian
out of his better eye. Barry felt ashamed
of himself and sought to square himself with
"the guy that writes notices" as he called
him, by asking permission to sit in to the
game. It was granted.
The inevitable jackpot came along. Col.
Watterson took up his cards, passed them
slowly in review before his good eye. softly
hummed bar of The Pirate King,n and
opened the jackpot for the limit
Mr.. Barry, who held kings and tens, re-
manned. Mr.. Goodwin began on two aces
and Messrs. Harrigan and Hart passed on
and quietly surveyed the scene.
Col. Watterson requested the favor OF one
card, declaring, at the same time. in piano
voice. that she was a pirate king" Mr..
Barry asked to be helped to the same num-
Der, while Mr.. Goodwin drew three paste
boards. To his delight, Mr.. Barry dlscov-
cred that he had secured O third ten, and,
consequently, was the proud possessor of a
ten full on kings. Cautiously he bet a mod
est 81, which Mr. Goodwin called, in hope
less sort of way. Col. Watterson, still
softly murmurlng his favorIte air, raised ii
the limit, after shutting his hand before his
perfect eye.
Secure in the possession of ten full Mr..
Barry retorted in kind, end Mr.. Goodwin
passed out.
Col Waterson raised back the limit So
did Mr.. Barry. This exchange of courtesies
was kept up until Mr.. Barry began to grow
little uncertain.
Finally Mr.. Barry threw in wad of bills
and said:
swell, I'll have to call you. / have q
ten full on kings" laying them down.
There was burst of melody that shook
the room. Laying down four large jacks,
the colonel reached for the plethorc pot. as
be reared out, at the top of his great voice:
81 am a pirate king"
And Barry regarded him with an express
sion of mingled disgust and resentment as
he growled
'I'I be - IL don't think you arer p while
Goodwin, Hsrrigau and Hart rolled upon
the floor ID commissions.