The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-02
HENRY CLAWS VACATION OF 1s4o
The One I'm Which His Adversary I'm
Poker Changed His Shirt During
the Game.

Poker Changed His Shirt During
the Game.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
The story is told by the grandson of the
former owner of Olympan Springs in Ken
lucky:
I'm the summer of 1910 Henry Clay
came to Kentucky on his vacation. He
said he felt the need Of the Olymplan wa
ter. But beyond bathing in il nobody ever
saw him fool with it. Three nights after
his arrival a sociable game began. Even
then there was little hotel at the place,
and the players occupied room la the top
story. where the clicking Of the chips
would not make envious the guests who
were barred out. In the game were Mr.
Clay my grandfather, Josiah Black burn,
John Hardin, and Sam Clay, cousin of
the statesman. II was a mo limit game.
Those were days when gentlemen played
with gentlemen and the vulgarsm of ia
BILE 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 vary
ing luck. They we're all old hands and had
the nerve 20 back their cards At Y O'Clock
Saturday night Blackburn quit, a little
ahead. He had been married only two
months and was afraid his young wife
would think he was dead. Sunday morning
al 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 Mr. John Hardin, where
even he can be found The door was clos
ed, and play resumed. Hardin changed his
linen at the table.
Sunday afternoon the men we're wan,
but nobody thought OF quitting. The
cards were dealt by Mr. Clay. My grand
father came In for $50 Hardin stayed.
Sam Clay dropped out. Henry Clay stay
ed My grandfather took one card. Har-
den drew two. Mr. Clay stood pat. My
grandfather bet $3.50. Hardin saw AZ. Clay
raised it $3.50. My grandfather raised It
$500. Hardin dropped out. Mr. Clay raised
back for 900 My grandfather said he
was sorry for him. and came back with
an elevation Of 800. MIR. Clay remarked
that II pained him to rob an old and tried
friend especially one upon whose assist
ance he counted IN the fall election, but
he was compelled to put up 5000 more
that he knew more about poker than any
man In the world. Ny grandfather bet
him another 5000 In excess that he was
mistaken. Mr. Clay stated that he might
have made some errors In politics, al
though he could not recall them just then,
but he had never yet overjudged a hand
That meant another boost OF 5000. Ny
grandfather sighed pityingly.
HE laid down his hand, took a small
pen-knlfe from his pocket, and carefully
trimmed his nails. He shut the knife
and slowly replaced II. He picked up the
hand and glanced across the table at his
gifted opponent, upon whose high fore
head two drops OF Precipitation were gilt
tering 4 raise YOU $500 he said grave
ly. Mr.. Clay thought long and hard. I
haven't that much money here OF course
he said az length. and / don't think my
bank account would stand a check for
the amount. But the Springs property
here ~ valued at $4,000 I viii put Il up.
You are the first man that ever made me
CALL What have you gotT my grand
father asked hurriedly his iron nerve az
last giving way. II IA your place first 70
state your hand said Mr.. clay lightly,
but no matter Woman. woman. lovely
womani The full measure allowed 10 a
good Mussulman, and he placed four
queens face upward on the table. In those
days the sequent flush was not played.
My grandfather, with q sigh Of relief for
himself and OF regret for a gallant adver.
cary showed what was called an Irwin
cible'-four kings and an ace. The Springs
have remained In our family 70 this day