Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-09
Things You Want to Know

Perhaps no other game in the history of 4
card playing has taken such hold on society /
In such a short time as has bridge whist /
Twenty years ago 1t had not been intro |
duced either in England or America II |
existed only in ConStantinople and in parts
Of Russia Today one can hardly so any
where In the civilized world without en-
counterins the game. In fifteen years it
has risen TO prominence enjoyed by no
other game. When the craze first began,
everybody thought it would be like other
fads, lsst a year or two, and then be for
gotten. But there is yet no indication Of a
| decline IN the interest In bridge on the
contrary the game is gaining new de-
voices every day. Even automobiles are
now fitted with tables so that their &C.
cupants may indulge in game white
bowling along the highway Trips from
New York to Palm Beach have been made
| fer the sole purpose OF finishing a series
Of bridge games.
The story Of the origin Of the game is
| full of interest. Its infancy was spent
| among the Turks, who play it today az the
American plays poker. From Constant
nople II emlgrated to Alexandria and the
Riviera. In 1890 It Journeyed to Paris where
It became popular as the dessert conclud-
ing a serious meal Of whist, being PLAYED
| as a relaxation after strenuous slttings al
the whist table.
| An American learned the game In Paris
and brought 1t to this country in time for
one Of the large congresses of the Ameri-
can Whist league. All of the great whist
players were agreeably impressed with the
new idea, and they carried 1t to the far
30 A L.
country It journeyed back across the At
lantc, where 1t won the favor of the Eng
fish. The honor OF having introduced the
game into England is said to belong to
Lord Brougham
Much has been written in the press and
spoken from the pulpit against the harm
fulness OF bridge. A prominent Now York
woman, who at once enjoys high social
standing, splendid education and wide
reputation for philanthropic and humane
work, declares that to let it be known In
one social circle that you adiure bridge is
to prove beyond peradventure the truth OF
the philosophy of the lamented Mark
Twain, who held that to be good is TO be
lonesome She declares that even mission
and charity work in New York City have
suffered vast harm by the devotion tc
bridge of those who formerly were con.
nected with these activities.
In Chicago Eames McVeagh, son of tn,
present secretary OF the treasury, declared
: not long ago that he knew a young woman
the daughter of a prominent officer OF tn
!, United States army, who clothed hersel
II entirely by her winnings at bridge. il
II another case II was declared that a grou
II of society women aboard one of the Asto
II yachts lost entire sight OF the great in
ternational cup race while absorbed in
is game of bridge. 1t was stated that whe
e. friend drew alongside to inquire abou
he the yacht race, one of the women absent
mindedly replied: alice won."
y That there are a great many people VIII
ut play for money II we'll known. But in tn
a, rank and file OF bridge clubs this is no
m true. An authority on the game declare
II that probably not more than 10 per cen
i'd of the devotees of the bridge table pla
n for stakes.
Y! When, the game is played for money it
NJ usually for I or cents point. althoug
N in many instances the stakes are S. 1t
le said that in only very few cases do pre-
m .fessionals at the game make much OF
TX living out Of it. One player who kept aC
Is count OF his bridge money for five year
o. found that in that time he was $4,000 aheat
ne Another made $3.50 in a single year an
nj he was regarded as rather a poor playe
re One who was regarded as a good player, o
40 the other hand, lost $500 in one week
~ few years ago there was a game at Sarf
NJ toga which lasted for twenty-four hour
y in which the stakes were s. a point
y story Is told of another game at tn
he resort, in which young man was aske
lie to make up the set. He inquired as
what the table stakes were. Five" wa
o., the laconic answer! The young man pone
in the game and played for several hour
At the end Of the sitting he thought he ha
~ won about $780, He was counting that II
ne stakes were cents a point As a matt,
, of fact he was unconsciously playing at