Morris tribune., 1897-06-09
HOOKED LIKE A SKIN.
NOW MORRISSEY AND SCoVEL BEAT
APAT STRAIGHT AND THREE ACES.

2sEises at the Proper Time and of Correct
Amounts Did the Trick-Morrissey Got
81 900 Out of the Pot, scovel Got the
Fest and the Others Got Left.
The passing of the Crystal saloon.
Gone, but not forgotten. Erected in
1898. Raced only few days ago. The
Crystal saloon, which adjoined the Frear
House, was for over 40 years the princi
nal and about the only rendezvous for
sorting men in this city. 1t was the
resort of such well known men as John
3lorrissey, John DAILY, Colonel Jim SEQ
ggei and others. Stories have been told
.aef plays of faro when the limit was the
zsR1y, and where the checks were piled
son card as high as the ceiling.
Many good stories are told of big
games played in the Crystal. One Of the
best is Of the great poker game in which
the late John Morrissey and Colonel
Jim Scovel were the two important
players. 1t was nearly 80 years ago. It
was a bleak December night. This was
before Scovel was sent to the United
States senate by the Jerseyites, and
when Morrissey was at the height Of
ms prominence. It was six handed
game of draw. The game had been lag
g5ng on for three hours without any ex-
niIement. Morrissey was about $4,000
" inner. Gcovel was loser of about half
that much The play which made this
story came up about 3 o'clock in the
anorning. John was the dealer, Scovel
sat to his left and was the first man to
speak It was $50 "jack.
Pass" said the big colonel, never
looking at his hand.
The next man did the same as SEQ
vel,~but the player who followed him
aoPened it for $12O, the size of the pot
The next man stayed, the next passed,
and vixen it came to Morrissey he tilted
Is $3.50. It was now Scovel's turn
There was $500 now in the center SEQ
Eei was poker player of the old school,
La would lay down tours as quickly as
ire amateur would draw four cards to
I'm ace when it cost 500, and he would
play three card flush if the pot was
zSnrth winning at all. Scovel looked at
his hand when Morrissey had finished
putting in the checks. He stared at
Jsnn for few moments, all the time
fumbling his checks, and then in cool
way went down in his inside pocket
zszas3 pulled out a large wallet.
I'm raise you $780," Jim said.
The man who had opened thepot saw
$oah raises, for he sat with nice pat
straight in his hand, and the next fell
3ors put in ST. Morrissey was nom
spdused when it came to him. It was at
Aeas5 15 minutes before ne put in the
$50.
I'm in SO much / might as well
Esay," he remarked, as he picked up the
saeEk. How many, Jim?''
Three, . answered Scovel, ''and see
atalt they are good ones. !"
Oh, I've got you beat chlrped
sSaalan, as he dealt out the required num-
aser
9Th play these, - was the answer Of
his man who held the pat straight.
That 's-a good thing, !" said Morris
Eey, looking in surprised way at the
gaaR.
Give me two. was the order of the
aaext man, and be got them.
Well, I only want one, and I don't
aaeed it at that, remarked Morrissey,
slss he took the top card.
The man who had opened was one Of
y WISE fellows who are always afraid Of
~ cine card draw, and he merely Clipped
80 cents. The next man was there with
ss1ree aces cold, and he threw $50
gaeenback in the center. 1t was now
a DErigsey's turn. He had skinned
-s-as hand off two or three times.
Five hundred better, !" said he. with
sszIt moving muscle.
During the play Scoyel had been lean