Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-28
From All the Year Round.
Mr.. Cramp arrived. 4"

played whist before
Mr.. Cramp arrived"
Played whist! Good heavens, I played
whist. sir. before 1 was breeched! The
enIoids have been a whist-playing fam
ny Tor generations. My mother played
WHIST and her mother! I myself am sixty
three years old, and beg leave to state
that I have lost as much money and made
as much money at whist as any man Of my
means in Englandv'
Il don't pretend to have had YOUR expe-
rience. general. but I have always been un-
der the impression that 1 have had some
rudimentary notions Of the game"
W course you have! And SOS the ad-
mirai!' Gen. Penfold turned towards Ad-
mlral Glover. He raised his voice to q
roar. Haven't you, admiral?'
Inc admiral was sitting in an attitude in
dicative OF detection. He rubbed his hands
together.
Il should like to have a rubber"
ar. Bowman leaned over towards the ad-
miral and explained. in a crescendo scale
The general was asking If you had any
idea OF the rudiments Of whist"
Yes. rubber at whist. But there are
only three of u.s."
The admiral looked around the room, as
II he were searching for a fourth. The gen.
eral glared at him.
The old beggar gets deafer every day."
He thrust his hands in his trouser-pockets
ITS the craze Of the day, the desire to
teach your grandmother. But hang me II I
ever thought it was going to come to
whist!'
only visitor, too!'
i've played whist In this club for over
fifteen years, and I've never been SO sat
uDOn before Whv r,,,o IN
whist which every tyro knows, 1t Is the
rule which tells you that you're to return
your partners lead. When, the other night,
I had this man Cramp for a partner, he
never returned my lead except once! And
then why on earth he did 1t don't know"
when I was playing with him." plain
lively commented Mr.. Bowman, he
trumped my trick. 1 have always under
stood that to trump your partners trick is
not commendable thing to do. Yet, when
at the end Of the hand I pointed out to him
what he had done. he appeared to be quite
surprised to find that thought he had
done anything wrong
And then the way In which he plays his
trumps! When you're strong in trumps,
play 'em. Why. I've seen him lead trumps
when he had a singleton. and stick to them
like glue when he had six in hand
Have you noticed how the mans a
walking book case?"
Il should think he's in the trade. Con-
found him. he's got a book in every pocket.
I've played whist all my life. and never
SO much as looked at a book. 1 don't go in
for theory. but practice"
'Of coursev'
His long -winded words and scientific
balderdash stick in my throat. / play good
old-fashioned English whist! I've played
good old-fashioned English whist all my
life! mean to play good old-fashioned
English whist until die! It's good enough
for me. You can take your twiddly-twaddly
new theories and your American buncombe
to somebody who likes that kind of a thing
Just So" A voice was heard on the
"ConfoGnd Miilsl The man doesn't know
Mr.. Mills came in. "Hollo Mills; you're
just the man we want. Come and make up
the rubber"
Mr.. Mills declined
THANK you, general. You know I'm no
player. But here is Mr.. Cramp."
Mr.. Cramp came in. He was willing.
Il shall be delighted"
Silence followed. The general and Mr.
looked at Mr. Cramp Mr.. Cramp seemed
to be quite unconscious Of their scrutiny.
He seated himself at table He said:
II am spelling for a game"
AhS SchcAd al duu BOWMAN advanced
toward the table. AS they went. the gem
eral whispered into Mr.. Bowman's ear:
IN for it, by gad!'
They seated themselves. The admiral
The general and Mr.. Bowman cut together
AS We SIT" the general chuckled.
You remember, general" remarked Mr..
Cramp. that discussion had with you on
four: have here 'Bane on the Penultimate
Mr.. Cramp produced little book from an
inner pocket Of his coat.
1T Is my DEAL" interposed Mr. Bowman
II think cut the lowest"
The general assented without 80 much as
a sign. Mr.. Cramp went on:
1T is valuable little work. He SAYS
here on page eleven, referring to the leads
from fives not trumps-"
will you cut to me. Mr. Cramp?"
Mr.. Cramp cut to Mr. Bowman. and then
continued:
ten. five Of hearts. Ten, seven Of spades.
Ace queen. knave Of diamonds Queen.
knave ten. nine and four Of clubs"
'Knave Of clubs" Mr.. Bowman faced the
cards, Mr.. Cramp?"
"Eh-one-one moment. II should like
Just to tell you what Bane says
&c Co1 ahn rt you tell us what Bane says
II should very much like to get you one
OF these little works. general. Or perhaps
I might be able to get one for the club.
They are rather expensive. but think If 1
were to try"
Are you in the book trade, Mr.. Cramp?"
THE book trade! What makes you think
that?"
You seem SO anxious, sir, that should
purchase books which are absolutely devoid
Of interest to me-
TITS your lead. admiral!'' roared Mr.. Bow.
man behind his hand
The admiral led. The game progressed.
Some rather peculiar play was SEEN Mr..
Cramp and his partner were q little at log
gerheads. Mr.. Cramp played his game the
admiral played his. The result was that
though they had a little the best Of the
cards. their adversaries scored two by
tricks. Mr.. Cramp endeavored to observe
on this as the admiral began to deal
Didn't you notice my CALI" he inquired
Of his partner.
The admiral dealt calmly on.
Didn't you notice my calf" he repeated
a little louder.
Still the admiral dealt Mr. Bowman's
countenance wore bland smile.
you'll have to shout II you want to make
him hear" he said.
Didn't you notice my call?" yelled Mr..
Cramp.
The admiral. suddenly alive to the fact
that some one was addressing him, fumbled
with the cards as he turned his attention
to his partner.
Fall? No. 1 heard nothing about your
fall. Did you hurt yourself?"
Every one smiled-but Mr. Cramp That
gentleman realized what 1t is to be affiict-