The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-17

meeting, ana To secure partners The
first duty was 10 register at the business
room OF the congress. and secure badges.
silver shields, bearing W. W. L. fastened
to blue satin ribbons, for mere members
and red and white for officials. Here was
the place to see celebrities, THAT Ia Mrs
Browne, our next president" whispered
in our ear wiry, nervous little woman
to whom we were indebted. later, for
many courtesies. While we were cruninp
our necks to catch & glimpse of the presi-
dent, Mrs. Hawley oil Boston, we over
heard our nervous little friepu introduc.
ing two stranger. Now the only way to
do, she said In quick, decided tones ''is
to sit down, and talk over with each
other your play. and see IL you can
agree" Ihereupon rather severe look
ing woman of about 40 took the initiative.
and began to question this trembling an.
plicant for partnership. ''Whatwouid you
lead from five in suit, headed by King
and Oueen?" Queen" faltered the
Younger woman. Then followed more
questions and answers, which were lost
to us, but all was evidently satisfactory,
for they agreed TO try their luck together
and we learned Liter that they gained Il
top score in the morning, each winning
button.
The trophies and special prizes to be
awarded, next attracted our attention.
They were on exhibition in two large
cabinets and consisted of the Washington
trophy, a massive silver shield for clue
teams of four; the Philadelphia cup, for
club pairs; the Toledo Trophy, a beauti-
full silver loving cup for open fours; and
the Brooklyn Trophy. handsome silver
vase for open pairs In addition. there
were special individual pins. in charming
designs of small spread wings, with 80
in enamel, for the winners of trophies,
pins for top scores in open pairssconte tests,
which were going on morning and even
ming in different parts OF the Two houses.
These were open TO any club member, and
highest score won pin, finals being
played Friday, by all top scores, for a
special prize, bon-bon dishes, of cut
glass and silver, travelling clocks, ETC.,
making a most attractive collection.
While fixing them all in mind, suddenly
the voice of our secretary was heard. say
ing 81 have friend here who would like
to play, but has no partner; Perhaps you
Will talk with her lit would be a
great pleasure" answered pleassn
voice. and in moment mutual intro.
auctions were taking place, and mutual
acuuaintances discovered in Portland.
Now said Mrs. Irish of Brooklyn,
1--WE don't want, either of us, to waste
our time. My partner was Ill at the last
moment, and unable to come, and while
l want to play, l don't want to merely
drop the cards. You upderstand2" This
was all said in most frank, engaging
manner. Mrs. Dyer replied. There is
lust one way to settle the matter, and it
can be done In short time; we will play
a few hands, "Willingly," agreed the
Brooklyn woman, leading the way to her
room, followed closely by our secretary.
At quite long range came two tremb-
ling women grasping each others hands
for support We're you afraid? Is a ques-
tivn possibly some member present would
like to ask. No, emphatically, We We're
not afraid. That word does not express
our state of mind. With a tremendous
effort we came to ourselves; Selling our
terror with both hands we closed the door
and sat down to play. That wretched
thing then smote us in the knees. and
crept up to our hearts, as the catech1sm
began. "Do you lead from long suit or
short?" cheerfully inquired, our new &C.
quaintance, unconscious of our stale OF
mind. "Iiong, except when four trumps
warrant Ia weak suit lead" answered her
partner in low tones, not very &, steady.
Here was where Mrs. Fillabreach proved
silence was golden, for there was no
strength or breath left in her. The secre-
tary sat cool and collected, answering the
long catechism without faitering, main
tanning her points, and making her an-
swers so clear and concise that we
realized more than ever what mastery
herself. Earlier in the day when as
spectators we had looked on at n similar
encounter it HAD seemed TO us very
funny" but now. everything like humor
was eliminated. and the situation was
absolutely tragic. Bor nearly two hours
we played and from that fiery trial Mrs.
West came forth triumphant. Mrs. Irish
expressed herself as perfectly satisfied
with her partner, and for several morn
ings they played in the open pair contests.
making once. third from top score.
Tuesday morning at 10 O'Clock, in one
of the parlors of the Ebbitt House was
begun the contest for the Philadelphia
Cup (Which was to continue three morn
ings) played by club pairs, only one pair
from each club allowed. There were
twelve tables, 20 boards being used, and
from 1915 to 2.l5, for four hours, the ut
most concentration and nerve force was
demanded. When our mum ber-22-was
given us. Mrs. Buell. and Mrs. Bucklin
came and sat in the vacant chairs saying,
'Shall we begin together" Our secretary
was equal to thu occasion. and answered
briskly, Certainly" while Mrs Fila
breaoh's pale lips tried to smile cord al
acouiescence. "Of course there are many
fine players in the room, casually re-
marked the secretary. "Finest in the
country was the emphatic rejolnder.
"Do you mean" we cried In chorus, THAT
every blnRlo tUHe VI butsS 10 du
EXPERT" ~ mean just that, there is not
an ordinary player in the ROOM" This
was, for Mrs Fillabreaoh, what might be
termed in sporting language. "a knock
down blow Feebly she murmured.
"fools rush in," but did not have time to
finish, as after the usual questions, What
game do you playf long suit OF shortp'
and "Do you echo three trumps or FOUR"
the bell sounded, and silence reigned
supreme, as the play proceeded. Mrs.
Buell. and Mrs. Bucklin, with whom we
began the contest, are two OF. the strong
est players in the League. Several years
ago after severe illness, Mrs. Buell.
became interested in whist After leav-
ing the hospital, she began to teach the
game. and has supported and educated her
children from her earnings. She lis con-
sidsred the leading player and teacher in
Providence. Mrs. Bucklin . has played
with her for long time They have been
in many tournaments together, and their
disastrous failure at the second Congress
was lnexplioable, their score being 10,
while that of the Portlands was TO- AT
| the close of the first days play our sur
prise may be imagined when on returning
from walk we heard on all sides that
No. '22' was victorious. We knew il