Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1897-08-19
GREAT SITTING At POKER
nov HENRY IIAS lOst IuE
olyupIAS SPRINGS.
a Clean shirt ssnt 90 Wae 81 ths
Players ~ mis- rheaght
tut wife.

| by Harry OF the W est -ueury
Clay. He would not sell and he
would not trade. Grandfather
wanted the springs, mainly be-
cause they we're pretty. 1t is q
certainty that he did not intend
| to drink any Of the water. In the
summer of 1910 Henry Clay came
to Kentucky on his vacation. He
said that he felt the need OF the
Olympian water. But beyond
bathing in it nobody ever saw
him fool with it. Three nights
after his arrival a sociable game
begun. Even then there was a
little hotel at the place, and the
players occupied a room in the
top story, where the clicking OF
the chips would not make envious
the guests who were barred out.
In the game we're Mr.. Clay, my
grandfather, Josiah Blackburn,
John Hardin and Sam Clay, a
cousin of the statesman. 1t was a
mo limit game. Those were days
when gentlemen played with
gentlemen and the vulgarism Of
table stakes was unknown. A
mans word was as good as his
bond, and whatever he bet he was
able to pay. The game began on
Friday night and ran along with
varying luck. They we're all old
hands and had the nerve to back
their cards. At IL o'clock Satur-
day night Blackburn quit, little
ahead. He had been married
only two months and was afraid
his young wife would think he
was dead. Sunday morning at 8
o'clock some one raped on the
door. 1t was opened and a negro
girl stood in the hall. She had a
clean shirt in her hand, and on
the bosom was a note from Har-
din's wife; For John Hardin,
wherever he can be found The
door was closed and play resum
ed. Hardin changed his linen at
the table.
SUNDAY afternoon the men were
wan, but nobody thought of quit.
ting. The cards were dealt by
Mr.. Clay. Ny grandfather came
in for $50. Hardin stayed. Sam
Clay dropped out. Henry Clay
staved NV grandfather took
one card, Hardin drew two, Mr..
Clay stood pat. My grandfather
bet $3.50. Hardin saw it. Clay
raised it $3.50. My grandfather
raised $500. Hardin dropped out.
Mr.. Clay raised back for $1,000.
My grandfather said he was sorry
for him, and came back with an
elevation of $2500. Mr.. Clay re-
marked that it panied him to rob
an old and tried friend, particu-
larly one on whose assistance he
counted in the fall election, but he
was compelled to put up $4,000
more that he knew more about
poker than any man in the world.
My grandfather bet him another
$1,000 in excess that he was
mistaken. Mr.. Clay stated that
he might have made some errors
of politics, although he could not
recall them just then, but he had
never yet overjudged a hand.
That meant another boost of
$4,000. My grandfather sighed
pityingly.
HE laid down his hand, took a
small penknife from his pocket
and carefully trimmed his nails.
He shut up the knife and slowly
replaced it. He picked up the
hand and glanced across the table
at his gifted opponent, upon
whose high forehead two drops of
perspiration were glittering. Il
raise you S35,O0O,' he said gravely
Mr.. Clay thought long and hard.
Il haven't that much money here,
of course he said at length, and
l don't think my bank account
would stand a check for the
amount. But the Syringe pro-
perty here is valued at $35, 900. l
will put it up. You are the first
man that ever made me call.
What have you got2' my grand
father asked hurriedly, his iron
nerve at last giving way. 1T is
your place first to state your hand,
said Mr.. Clay lightly, but no mat
ter. Woman, woman, lovely
woman The full measure allow
ed to good Mussulman,' and he
placed four queens face upward
on the table. In those days the
segment flush was not played.
My grandfather, with a sigh OF
relief for himself and of regret