Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-30
HENRY cLAY,s BIGGEST GAME.
The Night He Bet and Lost the OIyna-
pfan Springs. -,r-',s

The Night He Bet and Lost the OIyni-
pfan Springs. .,r-',s
From tie Chicago Ti1nes.Herald.
Not long ago. met the owner of Olyrn-
plan Springs. which are beautifully situated
| fifty miles from Lexington, in the heart of
the old Ashland district. These springs, as
well as could make out from the enthu-
siastic accounts of their proprietor are
warranted to cure anything from ingrow-
| Ing nails to a broken heart. Certainly he is
healthy enough himself, but, being a Ken
tuckian of the Kentuckians, / have my
doubts of his wide acquaintance with water
as beverage, no matter where Il comes
from or what name 1t may bear. My friend
| is nothing, however, If not original, and
| this Is his story:
This was my grandfather's mode of play:
Never to go in On less than a pair of mines,
never to bet better on two pairs and never
| to raise one-card draw. Strict adherence
to these principles made him prosperous
and respected.
"Olympian Springs were owned by Harry
of the West'-Henry Clay He would not
sell and he would not trade. Grandfather
wanted the springs, mainly because they
were pretty. 1t is certainty that he did
not intend to drink any of the water. In
the summer of 1870 Henry Clay came to
Kentucky on his vacat ton He said that he
felt the need of the Olympian water. But
fool with it. Three nights after his arrival
a sociable game began. Even then there
was a little hotel at the place, and the
players occupied room in 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 grand
father, Josiah Blackburn, John Hardin and
Sam Clay, cousin Of the statesman. 1t
was a no limit game. Those were Lays
when gentlemen played with gentlemen
and the vulgarism of table stakes was un-
known mans word was as good IS his
bond. and whatever he bet he was able to
pay. The game began on Friday night and
ran along with varying luck They were all
old hands and had the nerve to back their
cards. At II o'clock Saturday night Black
burn quit little ahead. He had been
married only two months and was afraid
his young wife would think he was dead.
Sunday morning at o'clock some one
raped 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 note from Hardn's wife: For Mr..
John Hardin, wherever he can be found.
The door was closed and play resumed
Hardin changed his linen at the table.
Sunday afternoon the men were wan.
but nobody thought of quitting. The cards
were dealt by Mr. Clay. My grandfather
came in for $50. Hardin stayed. Sam Clay
dropped out. Henry Clay stayed. MY
grandfather took one card Hardin drew
two, Mr.. Clay stood pat. My grandfather
bet SEQ. Hardin saw it. Clay raised 1t
$50. My grandfather raised It $500. Hardin
dropped out. Mr.. Clay raised back for
sl.WO. My grandfather said he was sorry
for him, and came back with an elevation
of $500. Mr.. Clay remarked that it panied
him to rob an old and tried friend, par
ticularly one upon whose assistance 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 My grandfather bet him an
other 5000 in excess that he was mis-
"a an Nr at tod IA no ritrh q
made some errors of politics, although he
could not recall them just then, but ne had
never yet overjudged a hand. That meant
another boost of 5000. My grandfather
sighed pityingly.
He laid down his hard, 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 fore
head two drops of perspiration were glitter
ing raise you s'J.WO,' he said gravely
NJ. Clay thought long and hard. I haven't
that much money here, of course he said
at length, and 1 don't think my bank ac-
count would stand check for the amount
But the Springs property here Is valued at
S5,Gn l will put it up. You are the first
man that ever made me CALL What have
you got?' my grandfather asked hurriedly
his iron nerve at last giving way. 1T is
your place first to state your hand said
Mr. Clay lightly, but no matter. Woman,
woman. lovely woman! The full measure
allowed to good Mussulman.' and he
placed four queens face upward on the
table. In those days the sequent Hush was
not played. My grandfather, with sigh of
relief for himself and of regret for gal
liant adversary, showed what was called an
invincible'-four kings .and an ace. The
Springs have remained in our family to
this day"
IF that is So" 1 remarked tentatively.
your grandad must also have had the
gun" My Kentucky friend looked earnest
ly at his empty glass. mo, suh,' he said.
Those were the days of gentlemen, suh.'