The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-08
From the New York Sun.

II 1 n
'O isn't exciting enough for most
of the boys in the street these
days." said a gray-haired broker who
was Slipping something from long glass
In one of the uptown hotels the other
night. ats somewhat different from the
days when I was much younger
Then game of poker for fairly mod
est stakes or turn at the roulette wheel
was diverting enough to take your mind
away from the care of the stock market
and its vagaries. But now! It's bridge
whist, and the stakes they play for would
make some of the old-timers who thought
they were pretty sporty sit up and take
notice.
Here is an accurate account of a game
that was played few weeks ago:
"A we'll known house, the head of
which comes from the neighborhood of
Chicago, has branch office in hotel
not far from Thirty-fourth street and
Fifth avenue. A bridge whist game Is
played there every afternoon. The plung-
ers of Wall street know it and gather
there whenever they have nothing better
to do.
Zone afternoon 1t happened that they
were shy of player. A man who has a
comfortable income strolled in. I know
900 and $4,000 year.
''ife is not a spendthrift and he is care
full not to exceed his income. In fact, he
always makes it a point to keep inside
of 1t.
HE was asked to take hand in the
game and he did. No money is ever
passed in the game. The manager of the
office keeps track of the winnings and
losings and the following day a check Is
sent to a player for what Is coming to
him or he gets bill for what he owes.
what will we play for. % or so
point?' asked one Of the players when
this young fellow took his seat
az make it rule never to play for
more than 25.' said the stranger, who
had never played there before.
THAT was satisfactory to everybody.
and the game started. Well. when they
got through in about two hours my friend
figured out that he had won about $780,
and he was pretty well pleased with him.
self.
1.-THE next morning when he opened his
mail he found a check for $4,000. 1t was
from the brokerage office, and there was
a brief statement from the manager that
the check represented his bridge win
nings the day before.
HE was astounded, but he saw In
flash what had happened. Instead of
playing for 20 cents a point the stakes
we're s25 a point.
1T didn't take him long to decide what
to do. He has his own notions of things
in life, and there is nothing dishonest
about him. He put on his hat and coat.
called cab and drove to the brokers' Of
fee.
This is all mistake he said, taking
out the check and showing 1t to the man.
ager. When I played in that game yes
terday understood it was for rs cents
point. I see now It was for s25 point.
1t Is not fair to the other players and I
cannot take this check
THE manager looked at him. He wasn't
used to seeing that kind Of bird around
his shop.
"'Cant help it, he said. brusquely I
don't know anything about It, All know
is what my books show. I've got to go
by the books. I'm sorry. but I can't do
anything for you.
There was no use talking to the man.
ager. 1t was all a business transaction
with him, and he wasn't referee. Some
body else would have to settle It,
So the young fellow hoped into his
cab and drove to the main office Of the
firm in Wall street He had no trouble
in seeing the principal partner in the
firm. whom he knows. I'm not sure that
the principal partner didn't play in the
game.
MY young friend explained his trou-
bles. The broker listened to him and
told him to stand pat
Why said my friend, this is out of
the question. II you had lost you would
have been bounded until you settled.
There is nothing to it. You have got to