The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-08-20
JAY GOULD AND POKER.

How the Great Millionaire Entereu
Game aA Jay and Taught Reckless
Young alan IA Lesson.
New IOrE PTaS
Jay Gould rarely played poker His
horror Of all games Of chance was pro-
verbal. About hlteun ynars ago no
happspsd TO be in q Chicago hotel,
where a merry party was playing, One
Of the party was bright'lookinp young
fellow about tWenty.eight years old,
who was plunging rsckIo'sly. Fortune
seemed to forsaks her usual habits on
this occasion and AhoWered her tRYors
on her tempter with lavish hand All
drank freely,
Pot alIor pot WINS rakNd IN by tho
young man, amid tho hilarious shouts
OF his companions, who we're evidently
there for good time aud lost cheer
fully.
Mr.. Gould looked on, but offered no
comments until one oil theparty said lie
muSt go; then they all turned round
and asked tho millionaire to take a
hand. Not ono OF them knew who lie
was. He quietly refused. Tho game
continued, aud as fresh supplies oil wine
flushed the players faces they grew
more reckless aud made tho game with
out limit. Finally the plungOr stag.
gered 10 his feet aud said to Mr. Gould;
"seo here, mister, Just take hand or
two. Well make 1t tGn'cent limit II
you will"
Gould wa' Itung by the sarcasm.
"Yes, will play" no said; but you
must not alter your game It will DO
tho frat time have played poker ~
years, but gue's I'll soon learn again.
Tho game started, and tbs plunger
opened the pot for 1000. He clucEled
as he did 90, and fingered mis- winnings,
which amounted to $1,000. The others
stayed and Dir. Gould raised the pot
$1,000.
Twenty thousand better" said
Gould, taking OUT a roll Of $1,000 bills
and laying twOnty on tho table. :.
Tho young man sank back in his
chair, quite sobered by the shock. lie
pulled himself together aud, forcing a
smile TO his now anxious face, he said:
~ have not that amount with ME,
but il you'll accept my word and that oil
my friends, why, I'll SEQ you"
IAN right" replied Gould, with a
grim chuckle, "Tll take your bill"
The note was drawn out, aud the
young man laid down four kingS.
"No good" said Gould, rakiug in the
pot. -Four acosw lilo then lett the
room.
Tho Young maa was utterly ruined.
lie said that after he met the note ho
would not have $500 in the world, and
dare not face hi, wife and child. As he
was about TO leave the hotel waiter
stepped up to lin and said gentleman
wished to see him. Quiie bewildered
by the nights events, he was shown TO
Mr. Gould's room.
"Young man." said Gould, ~ learn
that you occupy prominent position
in the city. You have young vile at
home who is devoted to you, and who
/. probably holding in her arms your
baby boy and waiting Tor you this
moment. You havO ruined yourself,
you wife aud your little one for half an
hours pleasure, and It is quito evident
that you are not n 1T person TO own
anything more than $50 bill. What
is your wiie's name"
The plunger, now sobered, told him.
Mr. Gould sat down, and writing across
the note, said: "Now, hero is your note,
made payable to your wiie's order"
As the poor fellow sloWlyrcad II over
and saw who was his beneiactor, Gould
continued:
"Now 20 home. Don't stop hero gap.
ing, but tell your vito l hope she will
take better care OF this money than you
can"
lie rose and pushed the young man
gently from the room.