The record-union., 1896-09-27
-FOUR KINGS.
Robert Garrett Had Three Of Them in
His Hand.
A Poker Story in Which an American
Railroad Financier and Dusky
Monarch Figure.

tinction of playing the great American
game-not baSeball-but poker OF
course-with real live King, says the
Philadelphia Times" Some time in
the year 1883 he determined 20 journey
70 Mexico in search of the health which
ha had lost in veXatious financiering.
The original programme was altered
after the trip had begun, and ii was
finally extended to the Sandwich
Islands, and thence to China and ia
pan. He was accompanied by his wife
and sister, and number of other rela-
tives and friends. 1t was during his
visit to the Sandwich Islands that the
incident referred to occurred. Kala-
kaua was then upon the throne-the
same Kalakaua who once visited Phila-
delphia
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
tLem 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 a rock beyond
the Pacific's angry breakers Kalakaua
greeted them most graciously. Mr..
Garrett was surprised to find the black
King a courteous gentleman, speaking
English fiuently, and reminding him
much of Chester A. Arthur. His greet
ing was decidedly funny.
Mr.. Garrett" he said, II am pleased
to meet you. We have q bond of union.
You have just tried to borrow $5.000,000
and / have just borrowed $4,000, 600"
No one laughed at this sally more
heartily than Mr.. Garrett himself.
At signal from the chamberlain four
fat negroes III royal livery approached,
each bearing a solid silver salver as big
as the top of a writing desk-presents
from Queen Isabella of Spain and each
loaded with twelve glasses of cham
pagne. One servitor approached the
King, who was the first TO take a glass
from the tray. The other gentlemen
followed the example, except Mr.. Car
rett, who during the trip abstained rig
idly from all stimulants. The King
nodded his head, threw 1T back, parted
his lips, raised his glass and the spark
ling beverage disappeared in flash.
The Americans eyed the royal gullet
the first servitor backed away, and a
second approached with twelve more
brimming glasses. Again the King
nodded his head. and again the wine
was suddenly absorbed. And so with
the third and fourth servitors, until the
forty-eight glasses Of champagne had
accomplished the purpose of their be-
ing. Then they were ready for the race.
1t was actually for purse of S11, 600.
The entire population Of the town, Ii
coo in number, turned out to witness
the contest a majority of them viewing
il from the ocean on which they dis
ported, particularly the girls who SEEM
ed like denizens Of the deep. Mr.. Gar
rett, to ingratiate himself with the
King. bet 500 on the Hawaiian crew,
and then told his majesty what he had
done. Instead Of receiving royal
smile he was astonished by Kalakaua
saying quietly:
Indeed, but 1 wish the Americans to
win
why, your majesty" said Mr.. Gard
rett in surprise.
well, have bet 81 900 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 a game of poker,
with little limit Of So. Is that agree
able to your"
Mr. Garrett and few other members
Of the party determined to have a go at
the Hawaiian Treasury. The company
was seated in an immense hall, and
when the cards had been shuffled there
appeared at one end Of the apartment
eight natives with harps; in front Of
these eight mandolin players: a third
row was made up of eight choristers,
and finally, in front Of all, eight of the
loveliest royal concubines took posi-
tions. Then while the singers warbled
to the accompaniment of harps and
mandolins the girls swayed their bodies
and postured most gracefully, the
movement of their limbs being family
revealed through diaphanous robes.
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 a compliment. But this
advertisement was almost too much for
Mr. Garrett's calmness Of mind, and as
a result he soon found himself several
hundred dollars poorer than when he
entered the palace. The Hawaiian
Treasury appeared very far away. But
just then, during a large jackpot, he
found three kings in his hand, and after
considerable betting all the players ex-
eept Kalakaua laid down their hands.
He had three queens. He dallied with
Garrett until the pot was up to
handsome proportions, and then called.
Your majesty" said Mr. Garrett,
smilingly, "if I had you in my hand
would, with what have, be possessed =
of four very handsome kings"
His majesty was quick to see the
point, and he promptly replied:
THAT knocks the spots out of three
of the royal concubines," and he at once
wrote out a due bill for $500, beneath
which he signed "Kalakaua. Rex"
Garrett looked dismayed, but said
nothing. Early next morning, however,
while he was al breakfast with the la
dies of his party, the royal Chamber
lain appeared before him, bowed, and
presented the astonished American with
5000 1t required all his diplomacy to
satisfy the ladies' curiosity as to why
he had such early financial dealings
with the Hawaiian Government.
--------s----