Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-09-11
TWO POKER STORIES.
ONE IN WHICH JAY GOULD FIGURED,
ANOTHER TOLD BY DEPEW.

Jay Gould raroly played poker. HiA
horror Of al games Of chance was pro
verbal About IS years ago he hap
pened to be in Chicago hotel where a
merry party was playing. One Of the
party was bright looking young fel-
low about 2s years old, who was plung-
ing recklessly. Fortune seemed to for
sake her usual habits OH this occasion
and showered her favors ON her tempter
with lavish hand All drank freely.
Pot after pot was raked in by the
young man, amid the hilarious shouts
of his companions, who were evidently
there for a good time, and lost cheer
fully.
Mr.. Gould looked on, but offered no
comments until one of the party said he
must go. Then they all turned round
and asked the millionaire to take q
hand. Not one of them knew who he
was. He quietly refused. The game
continued, and as fresh supplies Of wine
flushed the players faces, they grew
more reckless and made the game with
out limit. Finally the plunger stagger-
ed to his feet and said to Mr.. Gould:
"See here, mister, just take a hand
or two. Well make it 10 cent limit
if you will.
Gould was stung by the sarcasm.
eyes, I will play he said, "but
you must not alter your game. It will
be the first time have played poker in
years, but guess I'll soon learn again. I"
The game started, and the plunger
opened the pot for 81, He chuckled
as he did SO, and fingered his winnings,
which amounted to some $1,000. The
others staid and Mr.. Gould raised the
pot $1,000.
ga thousand BETTER" shouted the
reckless one.
"Twenty thousand BETTER" said
Gould, taking out roll of 81, 900 bills
and laying 90 ON the table.
The young man sank back in his
chair quite sobered by the shock. He
pulled himself together, and forcing
smile to his now anxious face he said
81 have not that amount with me,
but if you'll accept my word and that
of my friends, why, I'll see you"
"All right" replied Gould, with
grim chuckle, "Ill take your bill" "
The note was drawn out, and the
young man laid down four kings.
"No good," said Gould, raking in
the pot "Four aces" He then left the
room.
The young man was utterly ruined
He said that after he met the note he
would not have $500 in the world and
dare not face his wife and child AS he
was about to leave the hotel a waiter
stepped up to him and said a gentleman
wished to see him. Quite bewildered by
the nights events, he was shown to Mr.
Gould's room.
'tYoung man," said Gould, 81 learn
that you occupy prominent position
in the city. You have q young wife at
home who is devoted toyou, and who is
probably holding in her arms your baby
boy and waiting for you this moment
You have ruined yourself, your wife
and your little one for half an hours
pleasure, and it is quite evident that
you are not a tit person to own any
thing more than a $40 bill What is
your wife's name?"
The plInger, now sobered, told him.
Mr.. Gould sat down, and writing across
the note said: "Now here is your note,
made payable to your wife's order"
As the poor fellow slowly read it
over and saw who was his benefactor
Gould continued:
''Now go home. Don't stop here gap
ing, but tell your wife hope she will
take better care of the money than you
can"
He rose and pushed the young man
gently from the room.
When DR.. Chauncey M. Depew was
asked for poker story some time ago,
he said he had no personal experiences,
but raked out of his box of stories a
tale that he sometimes tells over the
dinner table.
The genial railroad magnate said he
was in small town in Massachusetts
where a celebrated poker ring was oper-
ating. The central figure was an eccen-
trio farmer nearly 80 years old, who
had played poker since he could hold a
card. He was extremely wealthy, but
always refused to settle until the game
was finished, when he would give
checks for the amount of his losses. The
game had been in progress some hours,
and the old man had raked in tremen-
dous amount of cash.
An excitable young man about 20
years old was the victim of the evening.
He had lost every cent he had in the
world-some $500, which had all found
its way into the old mans pocket
Then the luck turned. He held four
aces. The old man had four kings The
betting ran so high that the other play
ers dropped out of the game. In less
than ten minutes 81, 500 was on the ta-
BILE. When the hands were shown, the
young fellow was jubilant, but the fates
were against him.
The old man drew out his checkbook.
called for a pen and some ink, and then
dropped dead The young mans money
Maid for his funeraL-New York Press.
Bad Is Good, and Good Is Bad.
The Saunterer is the victim of many
woes. Imagine his conflicting emotions
when reading the manuscript of con-
l-.I. G-11