Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-01-31
THE PREACHERS BIG WINNING.
"A Minister Who Joined In the Game fox
the Good of His Church.


the Good of His Church.
They tell story of a Methodist min
lister out in Seattle who was endeavoring
to raise money for a new church. After
he had drained the resources of every
member of his church and had passed
the subscription-book among all the
merchants of the city, the thought
struck him of seeking donations among
the lower strata Of society-the saloon
men and gamblers. After having Sc
cured about $500 from the liquor-dealers
he proceeded to invade the ranks of the
card-dealers. The first man he struck
was Billy Morgan, keeper of the most
notorious joint in Seattle.
'Mr. Morgan, [ am the Rev. Mr..
Franklin, of the Columbia Avenue Mis-
sion church," began the plucl1y little
expounder of free grace and undying
love on the Wesleyan doctrine, land |
have come to you for a subscription to
our new church. Won't you give me
something's"
Morgan was, of course, astonished at
being approached by man of the cloth,
but he was a good-natured sort of chap
and he treated the preacher politely.
The latter INDUCED in a few urgent
arguments for a donation, when the
gambler cut him short with this propo-
sition:
''Il tell you what I'll do, Mr.. Frank
lin; you bear the record of being con-
vert yourself from our profession-am [
right?" The minister acknowledged
that he once dealt on the finest layout
in San Francisco.
''Well," continued Morgan, "you
haven't forgotten the difference be-
tween a king full and bob-tai1 flush,
and you know enough yet to grease the
board when your ante comes round.
Now, I'll make you this bargain: You
and [ will play a game of old-fashionad
draw. I'll give you 500 in chips to
start with For every dollar you win
I'll give you a So bill; if you lose every
thing you don't get cent. Is it a go?"
The good Mr. Franklin was stumped.
He did want the money so badly, and if
he won it all it meant $500 for the new
Columbia Avenue church. Then the
question presented itself. Would this
be gambling? Certainly not; he would
be hazarding nothing, except his luck.
If he won the church would get $500; if
de lost the church would not be out
cent.
'sIt's agreed" he said, and Morgan
led the way to a neighboring hotel, as
it would never do to have the minister
seen going up into his rooms. The
cards and a 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, S. and SO each.
He then gave himself the same number
and the game began.
By courtesy the preacher dealt first,
and, from the look which Morgan be-
trayed on his face, he must have i'm
agined for a minute he had run up
against regular old 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 a red
into the pile.
'What have you there?" asked Mr..
Franklin.
Three treys," said the gambler, lay
ing his hand on the table.
''No good. That last heart gave me
flush" and the pastor of the Columbia
Avenue Mission raked in the pot.
81 see you understand the game -
loquaciously remarked Billy as he
picked up the cards preparatory to a
second deal.
First game in ten years, so you must
pardon any breach of poker etiquette. :"
mo fear of your making any breaks, -
responded Billy, and the cards went
spinning across the little mahogany ia
ble The minister anted with becom-
ing alacrity and gathered up his cards
for the survey This hand Morgan won,
but he only gained chip by the opera
ton. By mutual consent the third
round was made a jackpot, and both
men moved little closer to the table,
probably to get better action. It was
Morgan's deal and Mr.. Franklin opened
for 81 and Morgan stayed. Each man
drew two cards The minister bet a
red chip and Morgan threw in a 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
1oOAS
unloosened the two lower buttons OF
his vest and cast two blues and red in
to the pot and nervously waited to see
what his opponent would 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 nothing by bet
ting 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
''No good, old boy, I'm sorry to say.
Theirs the prettiest ace full you ever
saw" and Morgan lay down three aces
aud pair of kings with his left hand,
and had his right encircled round the
stack of blues ready to take them in.
''Hold on there interrupted the pas
tor, my two pair are all treys," and he
tshoveled in the pot with nervousness
and celebrity that would do honor to a
genuine amateur.