The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-04-02
A Preachers Big Winning.

They tell story of Il Methodist minis
Ter out in Seattle who was endeavorlnS to
raise money for new church. After he
bad drained the resources of every member
of his church and had passed the subscrlp
ton book among all the merchants of the
city, the thought struck him OF seeking do
nations among the lower strata of society
the saloon men and gamblers. After hay
ing secured about $500 from the llquol
dealers he proceeded to invade the ranks OF
the card-dealers. The first man he struck
was Billy Morgan keeper of the most no
torious joint in Seattle.
':Mr. Morgan, am the Rev. Mr.. Frank
lin. Of the Columbia Avenue Mission
Church. began the plucky little expoundel
of free grace and undying love of the Yves
leyan doctrine, ''and | have come to you
for subscription to our new church
Won't YOU give me something
Morgan was. of course, astOnished al
being approached by man of the cloth
but he was good natured soft OF chap and
he treated the preacher politely. The lat
ter INDUCED in few urgent arguments 1ol
donation, when the gambler cut him shor
with this proposition: III tell you wha
I'll do. Mr.. Franklin; you bear the record
of being Il convert yourself from our pro
f.ssion-am | right - The minister ac-
knowledged that he once dealt ON the finest
layout in San Francisco.
well, continued Morgan, you haven
forgotten the difference between king full
and bob-tail flush, and you know enough
vet to grease the board when your ante
comes round. Now, I'll make you
this bargain: You and will play lame
of old-fashioned draw. Iii give you 500
in chips to start with For every dollar
vou win I'll give you a s. bill; if you lose
everything you don't get cent Is 1t a
20 ?" The good Mr.. Franklin was stumpcd.
He did want the money so badly. and If he
won il all it meant $500 for the new Col
umbia Avenue Church. Then the ques-
ton presented itself: Would this be gam
bling? Certainly not: he would be haz-
arding nothing. except his luck. If he
won the church would get $500; if he lost
the church would not be out cent.
Its agreed he said, and Morgan led
the way to IA neighboriug hotel, as it would
never do to have the minister seen going
~ into his rooms. The cards and box
Of chips were brought out and spread on
the table Morgan counted out twenty
whites, ten reds, and three blues to the
minister, of the respective values Of
81. 81; and Sl0 each He then gave him
self the same number and the game began.
BY courtesy the preacher dealt first, and,
from the look which Morgan betrayed on
his face. he must have imagined for a min
ute he had run up against regular poker
shark.
Morgan drew two cards and the good
man one. The latter ventured five whites
on the start
That's pretty cheap, and I'll have to
call" smiled Morgan as he SHE'D Il red into
the pile. :,
What have you there 2 asked Mr..
Franklin.
Three treys.'' said the gambler, laying
his hand on the table.
mo good. That last heart gave me IA
"a flush, and the pastor of Columbia Nv
enue Church raked in the pot.
Il see you understand the game, logua-
ciously remarked Billy as he picked up The
cards preparatory to Il second deal.
First game in ten years, so you must
pardon any breach of poker etiquette.
"No fear of you making any breaks, .
responded Billy, and the cards went spin
ming across the little mahogany table. The
minister anted with becoming alacrity and
gathered up his cards for the survey. This
hand Morgan won, but he only gained a
a chip by the operation. BY mutual con-
sent the third round was made jackpot,
and both men moved Kttle closer to the
table, probably to get better action. 1t was
Morgan's deal, and Mr.. Franklin opened for
81 and Morgan STAYED.
Each man drew two cards. The minis
ter bet red chip and Morgan threw in II
blue, meaning five better. Franklin put
in another blue and Morgan followed with
two blues additional Here was jolly
squirt, right at the start, and the good
preachers hair began to bristle as he I'M
loosened the two lower buttons of his vest
and cast two blues and a red'into the pot,
and nervously waited to see what his oppo-
nent you'd do. Billy now fully realized
that the man on the other side of the board
was hard after that 500, which meant
$500 if he won, and that he could gain
aothing by betting more, so he called. The
minister excitedly laid down his hand with
the remark; I'm afraid you've got me beat;
I've got only two little pair.
M - ILL how I'm sorry ia say
There's the prettiest ace full you ever saw,
and Morgan laid down three aces and a
and pair of kings with his left hand, and
had his right encircled around the stack of
blues ready to rake them in.
"HoId on there, interrupted the pas
tor, Hmy two pair are all treys, and he
shoveled in the pot with nervousness ant
CELEBRITY that would do honor to a genuine
amateur.
To make Il long story short, the presid
ing head of the Columbia Avenue Metho
dist Episcopal Mission walked out of tn
room an hour later with roll of fresh
crisp greenbacks representing $3.50 and t
and check ON the National Bank of Seat
tie for $3.50, made payable to james Frank
lin or order, and signed William Morgan
As the two men parted on the curb be
low the minister turned to his benefacto
with the remark: "Thank you very much
Mr.. Morgan, for your contribution an,
the afternoons pleasure. This money shall
buy our new pews, and | hope to see yoI
occupying one of them some day"
ayes, 1 ought to have private box TO
life in your church, answered Morgan.
Ebony is said to be SO abundant in som
parts of the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico