The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-05-21

CT Sophia Lee. Sophy she vas called for
short She was a woman Of masculine
characteristics. She always declared
that she was able to take care of her
self under any and all circumstances,
and she proved it by doing so.
She was born and bred in Cape May
county. Her father fshed for a living
the year round in Delaware bay and the
inlets on the east coast. Sophy was an
only child, and from early girlhood IN
til her father went to the bottom of the
sea in his fishing boat during a south
east gale she was his companion on land
and water. She knew the waters Of Del
aware bay and the east coast by heart,
could take up a pound net as well as
q man, and there wasn't a point about
handling a boat with which she was not
familiar.
3 After her fathers death she took pos
session of his nets and boats and set
about earning living for herself, which
abe did easily. The woman was taught
20 play poker by her father, who was
looked upon as the stiffest player in
eouth Jersey. He was always at it when
mot at work, and the pots he lost were
not to be compared with the number he
won. His success at holding cards won
for him the name Of Lucky Job Lee, or
abbreviated, Lucky job.
When IS years Of age Sophy could play
as clever a game as any of the old
timers, and at the age of 20 there
wasn't a poker player in the county
who hankered after taking hand with
her. She seemed to have inherited her
fathers luck, and, besides, she had the
courage to meet all kinds Of bluffs half
way and did not hesitate TO make one
herself when she was satisfied that she
could carry it through successfully.
Job Lee had friend Of the name of
William Eaton. Eaton was 90 years
older than Sopby, but he was anxious to
have her for his wife. When he made
the proposition TO job his answer was:
eco win her If ye can, Bill; she's big
enough ter know whether she wants ter
marry We or not, an ef she don't I amt
goin' ter make her"
Eaton mentioned the matter TO
Sophy, but she wasn't disposed to tie
up to any man, and plainly told him
30. But that didn't cool his (Bill's) ar
dor. He pressed his suit persistently,
and Sophy as persistently refused him.
Eaton was a lucky poker player him
self, and he frequently sat in a game
with Lee and his daughter. It hap
pened that about a year after her
fathers death sophy dropped into the
tap room of Munson's tavern al Goshen
one night. When she found Eaton and
two Of his friends engaged in q game
she asked II she might take hand.
She was welcomed 10 the game. The
men saw an opportunity, they thought.
70 get back some Of the money she had
taken from then in times gone By. But
6ophy had her luck with her. and she
handled the cards carefully. II q short
time Caton's friends were broke and
dropped out of the game. Bill was hold
ing his own, and that fact evidently net
tied Sophy, who began TO put dash
into the game unusual for her.
Neither of the players was able TO get
very much the best of the game. Luck
was about evenly divided. Finally
6ophy started jack pot, and, after the
cards had been dealt a dozen times
without the pots being opened, the
spectators began to get interested in the
game.
At last Eaton opened the pot on So
phys deal.
"I'll let We in cheap, Sopby," said he,
rs he showed $50 to the center of the
table.
I'm IN" replied sophy, putting up
the money. How many cards?"
1.-Two" replied Eaton.
Sophy dealt the cards and laid the
pack on the table.
"Hain't you goin' ter take enny?"
asked Eaton.
"I'll stand pat" replied Sophy.
"Bluffin' agin, eh?" said Eaton. with
grin, as he picked up his cards and
looked them over. "Waal, | can't lay
this hand down now. I'll bet $50 it's
good" He put up the money.
"Tll bet $50 more you're beat" said
6ophy, laying down 500 on the pile of
paper and coin.
"I'll raise that $780," said Eaton, after
carefully consulting his cards.
The betting went on until neither
player had money. Eaton had raised
Sophy's last bet, and the woman had no
money to meet it.
bill" said she. looking across the ia
BILE at her opponent, you've wanted me
ter marry yer for long time, an
hain't never wanted ter do it, and |
don't now. I'll tell yer what I'll do eff
yer think we've got the best hand: I'll
bet myself agin your sloop Marthy that
l can beat ye, an eff l don't III marry
We tonight, right here, eff it can be
DONE"
"Tll call ye," cried Eaton, almost be-
fore S5phy had finished speaking.
-Four kings" said Sophy, spreading
out her cards.
-Four aces" said Eaton, spreading
out his.
I'm yourn," calmly remarked Sophy.
Eaton was wild with JOY over his
good luck, and messenger was at once
dispatched for Horace Trimble, jus
tice Of the peace, TO come to the tavern
and marry the couple. Trimble was
quickly on the ground. No marriage
license was required in New Jersey,
and he was ready to de the knot. Eaton
was anxious to have It done right away.
but Sophy appeared to be deeply think
ing about something. Finally she said