The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-11
W0MEN'S PINK TEA POKER.
LE4rENTORTH SOCIETY FINDS EU-
CHRE TOO TAME.
The Clergy or the city Turn Pulpit Lights on
the G~Rme-CheatinE and Stacking Cardo
dbarEed-A Visiting Guest Loses All She
Has, but Her sister Wins II All Back.

dbarEed-A Visiting Guest Loses All She
Has. but Her Sister wins II All Back.
LEAyESwoRTH, Kan, April 5.-With draw
poker as the chief attraction In the thimblc par
tics of society, and pulpit philippics threatening
the downfall of the fad, the stiffness which has
lowered about Lcavcnworth since Col. ID. II.
Anthony ceased cunning in the streets has been
disturbed. The reputation fastened on Kansas
since PETER and Simpson stood rs its leaders
must be dissipated if the pink teas of this city
are conducted as has been charged. The intima-
ton that poker is played with no limit save tho
ceiling admits of but one conclusion-that there
is money IL Kansas.
How long the game might have gone on in the
social circles of Leavenworth il the guest at one
OF the gatherings had not been fleeced no one
can guess. There is no evidence that the clergy
OF the city, who have taken a hand in the ex-
posture. ever thought there was much shining
going on until the stranger within the gates
squealed. Nor did the clergy even then take n
hand until the strangers kin came into tho
game and recaptured the pot which the stranger
lost. Then there was n protest. Two Of the
clergy, on the same morning, opened up on the
game. telling all about some OF the tricks.
One OF the ministers, the son of a Bishop of the
Episcopal Church, the Rev. DR.. Thomas, startled
his congregation in this wise:
Il was told this morning Of one young woman
VINO came on q VISIT 10 this city. she had been
given $500 by her father. and expected to stay
only "A little while. when she was invited TO ono
of these 'euchre' parties. 1t seems euchre was
game was changed TO poker. The young lady
was a novice in this game. and the finale OF
Not content with the mere pleasure Of
playing, these women go into the game like
mon for them to cheat, TO stack cards and put
them under the table. Another story is that OF
n son who played in a game with his mother
and won SO from her. The lad is not 81 wears
old; Isn't This a fine example, What can We
principle. and all regard for family; in fact. card
playins has been carried on in Leavenworth to
such an extent that is dHlnnable."
II the rector had contented himself with tho
mere statement that the novice lost everything
merely the familiar thought that in poker some
body has to lose, and that the novice must have
dealt a hand. But the additional information
followed, that It was part Of the game 10 cheat
This may have been a revelation TO some OF the
congregation, but 1t was nothing new to the old
f riSyed IN pot afH IN thHt way wnf BUT IT that fhf the SOCIETY," aeis
women OF Leayenworth should have cheated
and stacked cards under the table was startling.
ing, the Rev. DIR. Bright OF the Methodist Church
was giving this version OF the scandal;
There is among the women OF this city one
poker club. il not more. 1t is reported that the
membcrs meet regularly and sit long at tho
me-. but l cannot youch for its truthfulness. IL
il OF a young lady who came upon a visit to
friends In this city, and who had with her $500.
Through an invitation she had been inveigled
into one of these games and lost every cent of Their
money. She did not wish to have her father
know ANYTHING OF her loss, and, 50 wrote an
elder sister for money with which TO re-
turn home. 1t seems this sister was adept
Mt stacking cards. and resolved TO come 10
this city and win back the money, OF which She
felt her sister had been robbed. This she did.
and she had not been here long before she Was
induced 10 go into u little game, The playing
grew, faster and faster. and finally one OF tho
members drew a phenomenal hand. The bet
ting grew SO high that all dropped out of the
game hut this member and the visitor. They
wagcrcd everything they had in front OF them.
until the member put in n check, when the
cards were shown. The Leacenworth woman
held four kings and the stranger four aces.
The loser accused her opponent of cheating,
check. The visiting yonng. woman thcrcupon
told why she had gone into The game, and dared
her 10 Stop payment on the check. saying that IL
II were done she would make everything public.
The check was paid. ! cannot see how the
younger people can help hut be pcrmeated with
this gambling mania, since IL is played in the
parlors Of those who set Themselves up TO be So
harm in a deck OF painted cardhoards than in 90
many checkers, but they have como to be rccog-
nized as the gamblers tools and should be con-
Gemned."
TO play poker in a thimblc party is not in con-
sonnncc with the tcncts OF the church In Kansas.
To cheat and stack cards under the table In tho
game where women alone are the players Is 10
But 10 threaten to stop payment on IA check that
has hccn put on the table because the winner
ChCStcd-this 10 fatal to the womcn's game in
lc0yCnw worth. Pink tea poker here Is doomed.