The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-25

AplSMAL EXPERIENCE IN JOHN CHAM
BeRLlN'S LIFE,

ling Made Discovery.
II ever an optimlst lived, the late John
Chamberiin was one, and yet he had To
swim through his hours of disgust the
same as men of less cheerful temperament.
He often said that the most dismal expert
ence of his life was n single round OF two
handed poker game that he played back In
1873 with kentuckian of national lame.
1t was after n dinner at Chamberlin's
hotel one winter evening. BESIDES Cham-
berlin and the Kentuckian Roscoe Conk-
ling and member Of Hayes cabinet had
helped to make away with the dinner.
After ii had been eaten the four adjourned
20 Chamberlin's private smoking room 10
enjoy their coffee and cigars. They all felt
pretty we'll the only natural feeling for
the proper kind Of man after eating his
share of a Chamberlin dinner. They sat
around Chamberlins famous lacquered
card table, purchased for him in Japan by
General Grant, EARNING and dawdling for
awhile The Kentuckian, fumbling among
the recesses of the card table, got hold of n
pack of cards in a cclluloid case, and after
lazily toying with 1t he said:
John, let's play n single jack, just to
zee how the cards run"
"All right" replied Chamberlin. "For
what limit-the skyT"
That's my game" said the Kentuck-
ian, and both men put 500 bill In the
center Of the table They arranged that IT
should he n plain case of jacks or better to
omen. The Kentuckian shook the cards
out OF the case, shuffled them, and at a
nod from Chamberlin dealt the hand.
Conkling and tho cabinet officer stood
looking on.
Chamberlin picked up his cards one by
one. He was cool headed man who had
learned the game Of poker at an age when
most boys are just mastering shinney, but
the witnesses afterward declared that his
face certainly flushed when he had gath
erde i'm all of his five cards. But he didn't
ray anything until the Kentuckian slowly
picked up his cards. and he was probably
so wrought mp himself that he did not OBJ.
serve his opponents suppressed excita-
.tion, rs Conkllng put 1t
~ Sphil," said Chamberlin to the Ken
tuckian, 81 don't want to be hard on you,
but I'd never have any more luck as long
as ! live If didn't play this hand as 1t
deserves to be played. So I'm going to
break it open for $780,"
"Jobn," replied the Kentuckian, with
a little tremor In his voice, II feel it my
duty II. warn you right now that I've got
you beat on the go In, and don't want to
take any unfair advantage OF you. But
can't afford to return a churlish scowl to
the smile of fortune any more than you
can, and so, John, III cost yeu thousand
more to draw cards"
well" returned Chamberlin, with a
sigh, showing the raise into the pot, II
never saw Kentuckian yet who knew
when he was licked, and I'm really sorry
for you. But you're bringing it all on
yourself"
"Cardss" inquired the Kentuckian.
"I'n play with these" said Chambcrlin,
closing his hand and running over his wal
let.
"well," said the Kentuckian, ~ don t
need any myself. Make your bet, but be
careful, John; be carefuln'
"Whcn you adopt thst imbecile tone,
>Phii, II said Chamberlin, "you do 1t at the
sacrifice OF my sympathy. A thousands"
q "Iohn." said the Kentuckian, looking
at his opponent mournfully, lyon are the
stubbornest man in the western hemi'
sphere, and you certainly need some of il
taken ont Qfsou. a thousand moreV
{ "Senator," said Chamberlin to Conk
ling, who had been standing behind tho
Kentuckian, "come over here and have
look az this hard Of mine, and add You
voice TO my warning to our friend across
the table" Conkling obcycd the requcs
and glanced at Chamberlin's hand. I'm
not in this game, John, he said, land !
wouldn't be square for me TO make an.
remarks" He said aftcrward that he ha'
10 turn to the sideboard and stuff hi
handkerchief into his mouth TO keep from
roaring.
:. "Obi very well, thcn," said Chamber
lir. "You perceive, Phil, that I've don
my best for you. am therefore reduces
10 the necessity Of raising you dnothe
thousand, pulling out his check book an
writing a check for the amount with
fountain pen.
Handy things, those fountain pens,
replied the Kcntuckian. LEND Inc II.
He also produced his check book and scril
bled a check, which he thrust into the Ger
ter OF the table with confident flourish.
John" he said, 81 Shall enjoy you
discontinue less than that Of any of IN
acquaintance But certainly am not Y
ing TO fly i'm the face of Providence by In.
ing down hand like this or anything Lib
it. Thousand mcreW
Conkling broke into laugh, which
turned off into cough. II never can
so close to suffocation in my life" he sa
afterward.
When there was $l4700 in cash ar
checks in the center OF tho table, the Ke
tuckian, whose turn 1t was to bet, clear
his throat. rrrst
"Chamberlin," he said solemnly, 18th
thing has gone far enough. Neither one
us Is millionaire. I do not purpose !
dulging your notorious recklessness al
further. sec plainly that you are ju
wild red indiqn enough TO bet your Ia
blanket and pair Of moccasins on that I'll
ful OF cards, even In the teeth OF my s.
-emn assurance that you are the wol
tbrashed man from here to Alaska job
call you"
Chamberlin spread his hand out on
lsble before him. Four of the cards w
aces and the othrr one was king. I
Kentuckian spread out his hand at
same time. IL consisted Of four kings q
an ncc. The two men gazed at each OF
across the table with expressions Of bla
stupcfaction. They were aroused by
low from Conkling that might have b
N n.