The Columbus journal., 1898-07-27


Little General Wanted ths Story Kept
Quiet. but 1t Was Too Good.
az was in q poker game, writes q
correspondent ct the Washington Star,
Gin the winter Of 1879, when Senator
Conkling and General Phil Sheridan
were players It was q four handed
game, and John Chamberlin was the
other player. This game at Chamber
Inns was always for e5 limit at first,
with the understanding that along to-
ward morning. after q couple of hours
Of warming up, anybody could suggest
the removal Of the limit if he wanted
to. The way Conkling and Sheridan
bluffed each other that night was eau
tioD. Both men seemed to strike out
luck altogether a. an element in their
good natured play against each other.
and as both of them caught fine hands
Occasionally when engaged in this tug
Of war of bluffing neither of them could
get an exact line on the other, and it
was better than play to study their
faces at the show downs. .Conkling was
having all the success during the latter
part Of the night, and it was fun to
hear Little Phil softly utter dark and
woolly things under his breath when,
time after time. Conkling would show
hand consisting Of nothing at all after
having scared Sheridan out or produce
q gorgeous set of fours or full hand at
such times as Sheridan, deciding that
the senator was bluffing, would call
him.
''Bite him, Sheridan Chamberlin
would say amusedly ON these occasions.
and Sheridan would tell Chamberlin to
60 to the dickens and call for another
deck Of cards.
I'VE started the last round Of jack
pots with new deck. Sheridan dealt
the first mess himself, and after it had
gone around and none of the three of us
could open it Sheridan opened it him.
self Neither Chamberlin nor ! had
any right to stay ON our hands, 60 it
was left between Sheridan and Conk.
ling. who staid. Conkling took three
cards and turned bis little pair into
threes Sheridan dished himself out
three cards and bit his cigar hard when
he saw his hand. He made q IS bet to
draw Conkling out, and the senator
raised him SIS. Itpassed between them
with these f25 bets until there was
nearly $500 iu the pot, both men scru.
tinizing each other pretty carefully at
each bet.
"'Idon't know SO much about you
this time, said Comkling finally. and
! think I'll just call you fer safety
"Both laid their hands down at the
same time. Conkling had three mines.
:--I 10 looked at Sheridan strangely
when he saw the color of Sberidan's |
three acea Both Cbamberlin and my
self also saw what was wrong at the |
same instant, but we only smiled and |
let the two men have it out. Sheridan |
had . broad grin ON his face and was
just about to rake in the pot. Conklina
was gazing at the little man Of iron
with puzzled look in his eyea
"'Oh, say. there. Phil, just wait a
minute. said be. DO yop really think
that pot belongs to you?'.
Belongs to me?'' said Sheridan.
Well. il does il the nose ON my face
belongs to me- Aud again be reached
over to hoe in the pot
''Conkling ran his hand through his
hair and again stopped Sheridan with .
gesture
II don't remember ever having seen
that sort Of thing before. he said. Did
you. :Phil?
Sec what sort of thing before" said
Sheridan. What in blazes are you talk.
Ing about, Conklins?' II
FOR reply Couklips put one finger
apou one Of Sheridan's aces and then