The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-10-20
Three Kings Beat Three Queens
and Wins 5000.
EASTERN IDEA OF THE LATE KING
Boat Race for s17.OOO-wine Capacity of
Kalakaua - Hawaiians Win Race But il
is Given 10 Americans-Night al the Old
Palace After the Raee-Prompt Payment.

The newspaper biographies of the
late Robert Garrett contained no men.
ton Of the fact that he once enjoyed
the distinction Of playing the great
American game-not baseball-but
poker Of course-with a real live King
says the Philadelphia Times" Some
time in the year 1883 he determined
TO journey to Mexico in search of the
health which he had lost in vexatious
hnanciering. The original programme
was altered after the trip had begun,
and it was finally extended 10 the
Sandwich Islands, and thence TO China
and Japan. He was accompanied by
his wife and sister, and a number of
other relatives to the Sandwich Islands
that the incident referred 10 occurred.
Kalakaua was then upon the throne
the same Kalakaua who once visited
Philadelphia.
Mr.. CARROTS party had scarcely been
quartered in their hotel in Honolulu
when the royal chamberlain of the
Hawaiian monarch called upon them.
and said that King Kalakaua would be
pleased TO have the gentlemen take din
ner with him, but prior thereto begged
them to witness a boat race that day
between the Hawaiian crew and one
from an American man-of-war lying in
the harbor. The royal chamberlain es-
corted them to the Kings sea palace,
which was situated on rock beyond
the Pacifc's angry breakers. Kalakaua
greeted them most graciously. Mr..
Garrett was surprised to find the black
King a courteous gentleman, speaking
English fuently, and reminding him
much of Chester a. Arthur. His greet
ing was decidedly funny
Mr.. Garrett" he said, 4 am pleased
10 meet you. We have a bond of union.
You have just tried to borrow 1000 600
and I have just borrowed 100000"
No one laughed at this sally more
heartily than Mr.. Garrett himself.
At a signal from the chamberlain
four fat negroes in royal livery ap-
preached, each bearing a solid silver
saiver as big as the top OF writing
desk-presents from Queen ISABELLA of
Spain-and each loaded with twelve
glasses of champagne One servitor
approached the King, who was the first
to take a glass from the tray. The
other gentlemen followed the example,
except Mr. Garrett, who during the
trip abstained rigidly from all stimu-
lants. The King nodded his head,
threw il back, parted his lips, raised
his glass and the sparkling beverage
disappeared in flash. The Americans
eyes the royal gullet enviously. With
out moments delay the first servitor
backed away, and a second approached
with twelve more trimming glasses.
Again the King nodded his head, and
again wine was suddenly absorbed
And so with the third and fourth ser
Vitors, until the forty-eight glasses of
Champagne had accomplished the pur-
pose OF their being. Then they were
ready for the race.
II was actually for purse of ST., 600
The entire population of the town, A.
600 in number, turned out to witness
the contest a majority of them view
ing il from the ocean on which they
disported, particularly the girls, who
seemed like denizens of the deep. Mr.
Garrett, to ingratiate himself with the
King bet 500 on the Hawaiian crew,
and then told his majesty what he had
done. Instead of receiving a royal
smile he was astonished by Kalakaua
saying quietly:
Indeed, but 1 wish the Americans to
win
Why, your majesty?" said Mr.. Gar
Tett in surprise.
We'll, 1 have bet s., 600 on them, that
is why, was the frank response. The
Hawaiians, in race of eight miles won
by about ten feet, but in consequence
OF the royal wager it was announced
that the Americans were the victors.
After dinner in the sea palace, the
King said:
Gentlemen, it is our custom after
dinner TO indulge in game of poker,
with little limit of S.. Is that agree
able to you?"
Mr.. Carrot and few other members
of the party determined to have a go
at the Hawaiian Treasury. The COM
pany was seated in an immense hall,
and when the cards had been shuffled
there appeared at one end of the apart
ment eight natives with harps; in front
Of these eight mandolin players; a third
row was made up of eight choristers,
The melodies were American, and con-
sisted largely Of improvisations on the
names Of various members of the party.
1t certainly was rather alarming to
hear one soloist in a parody on The
Colored Dude gravely sing:
-Oh, there sits Robert Garrett, the
Baltimore dude"
Yet that was what greeted the ears of
the millionaire, and the reference was
plainly for compliment But this
advertisement was almost too much for
Mr.. CARROTS calmness of mind, and as
a result he soon found himself several
hundreds dollars poorer than when he
entered the palace. The Hawaiian
Treasury appeared very far away. But