Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-09-17
TVFO POKER STORIES.
ONE iN WHICH JAY GOULD FIGURED,
ANOTHER TOLD BY DEPEW.


MOTHER TOLD BY DEPEW.
The Railway King Was SLOW To SIT In
but He Got There-Hia Generosity To-
va, IA the Youthful Piungsr-rhe Man
WI p Always Paid His Losses with Checks.
Ja,f Gould rarely played poker. His
horro Of all games Of chance was pro-
verdi hl About 10 years ago he hap
penetl to DO in a Chicago hotel where o
merr5 party was playing. One Of the
party was bright looking young fell
low ab bout 2s years old, who was plung-
ing rkcklessly. Fortune seemed to for
sake ber usual habits on this occasion
and 5 powered her favors On her tempter
with b lavish hand All drank freely.
Pot after pot was raked in by the
younH man, amid the hilarious shouts
Of hill companions, who were evidently
there for good time, and lost cheer
fully.
Mr. Gould looked on, but offered no
comm |ents 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 no
was He quietly refused. The game
contiI ued, and rs fresh supplies Of wine
fiushe i the players faces, they grew
more reckless and made the game with
out limit. Finally the plunger stagger-
cd to bis feet and said TO Mr.. Gould:
"Se here, mister, just take hand
or two. Well make it 10 cent limit
il you will :"
Cor Id was stung by the sarcasm.
"Y,Is, l will play" he said, "but
you M hst not alter your game. Il will
be the first time have played poker In
years, but guess I'll soon learn again. "
The game started, and the plunger
opened the pot for 81. 900. He chuckled
rs he did so, and fingered his winnings,
which amounted TO some $1,000. The
others staid and Mr.. Gould raised the
pot 81 00O.
"A thousand better" shouted the
reckle,Is one.
"TvIenty thousand better, said
Gould taking out roll Of 81, 900 bills
and la ling 90 on the table.
The young man sank back IN his
chair uite sobored by the shock he
pulled himself together, and forcing a
smile ~ his now anxious face he said:
~ hive not that amount with me,
but IL Eou II accept my word and that
Of my friends, why, I'll see you. T"
"Al right" replied Gould, with a
grim c buckle, I'm take your bill
The note was drawn out, and the
young man laid down four kings.
mo good, said Gould, raking in
the pot -Four aces" He then left the
room.
The kuung man was utterly ruined.
He said that after he met the note ne
would bot have $500 IN the world and
dare nc / face his wife and child. As he
was ab,but 10 leave the hotel waiter
stepped up TO him and said gentleman
wished 20 see him. Quite bewildered by
the nights events, he was shown to Mr..
Could room.
"Yo,lng man." said Gould. II learn
that yo b occupy prominent position
in the cEty You have young wife at
home Tho IL devoted to you, and who il
probablk holding in her arms your baby
boy and waiting for you this moment.
You bal We ruined yourself, your wife
and you b little one for half an hour 4
pleasure, and il is quite evident that
you are not a fit person to own any
thing nj ore than n $40 bill What Is
your wiEe's name!"
The llunger, now sobered, told him.
Mr.. Got Id sat down, and writing across
the note said Now here is your note.
made ps yable 70 your wife's order.
As tile poor fellow slowly read II
over and saw who WAS his benefactor
Gould @ ntinued:
Now go home. Don't stop here gap
ing, but tell your wife / hope she will
take bet lcr care Of the money than you
can
He ro 10 and pushed the young man
gently fIom the room.
When Dr. Chauncey NJ. Depew was
asked for poker story some time ago,
he said @ had no personal experiences,
bu, rak, I'D out Of his box Of stories a
tale that he sometimes tells over the
dinner sIble.
The <, nial railroad magnate said he
was in "a small town in Massachusetts
where u celebrated poker ring WAS oper'
ating. The central figure was M eccen-
trio farm Der nearly 80 years old, who
had playEd poker since he could hold a
card. HI was extremely wealthy. but
always refused to settle until the game
was finit hed, when he would give
checks fulE the amount Of his losses. The
game had been in progress some hours.
and the old man mad raked in tremen-
dOus amobnt Of cash.
An extitable young man about 20
years old was the victim Of the evening
Hs had lbst every cent he had i'll the
world-s,I me $500. which had all found
its way IL to the old mans packet.
Then Il % luck turned. He held four
aces. The old man had four kings. The
betting IA b 20 high that the other play
ers dropp, ID out Of the game In less
than ten hinutes 81 800 was on the ia
BILE. Whe b the hands We're shown, the
young fell pw was jubilant, but the fates
were agaii hst him.
The old man drew out his checkbook,
called for d pen and some ink, and then
dropped d. ad. The young mans money
paid for his funeral. New York Press
pr phtabie vcntriloquism.