Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-14

- ECENTLY while visiting member
of an old Maryland family, the
I - writer's host with every appear
ance of sincerity and belief in the truth
of his words, told him a most curious
tale 1t had been told to him. he said, by
his grandfather. and vouched for by
friends and relatives who had been pres
ent when it happened. At all events it
is an entertaining story and harks back
to the days before the civil war. 1t runs
as follows
Since early morning the riders had been
chasing the ever elusive fox. Through
Anne Arundel county and half way across
Prince Georges had they gone when final
~, at nightfall. the dogs. at last sur
ceeded in running their prey to the
ground Many of those in at the kill now
found themselves some twenty odd miles
or more, away from home. To save
these gentlemen long and tiresome ride
home through the dark woods, Col. Fan
fee, one of the huntsmen. invited num-
Der of them to spend the night at his
home, which happened to be nearby.
After most bountiful meal. with which
several different wines OF famous vintageS
were served, the colonel and his guests
adjourned to the cardroom where they
1t was then found that there We're nine
teen present-one short to complete four
tables-so the colonel agreed to play
dummy"
Their host. after playing game with
dummy, became disguised at not hav-
ing a partner. Throwing his hand down
upon the table. he declared with an oath
that he wished some one would come
any one-even the devil himself, provid-
ing he was a gentleman.
a CQrVQnf annrOAnhp0
and told the colonel that there was
gentleman at the carriage door who
wished to see him. The colonel arose
from the table. excused himself to his
guests and hastened to the door. where
he found a tall, dark man holding a mag
nificent black stallion by the bride. At
the first glance 1t was obvious that the
stranger was a gentleman. He bowed
ing and stated that he had Travelled far
that day and would like shelter for the
night.
The hospitable colonel assured him he
was perfectly welcome. invited him in
and ordered an attending slave to take
his horse. AS the horse was being led
away the colonel, lover and Judge OF
horses, could not help remaarking now
fresh it looked. To this the stranger
laughed and replied that 1t was prob
able that his horse had travelled farther
that day than the colonel had ever rid
den in one day.
His host led the stranger into the
dining room and saw that he was well
provided with both food and drink. After
his hunger was satisfied he was con-
Quoted to the cadrroom and presented
to those present as "a stranger who
wishes to spend the night" Upon being
asked to do SO he seated himself at the
card table and took the ''dummy's"
place much to the delight Of the colonel,
for he proved a capital player.
He seemed to bring fresh atmosphere
into the room and to brighten up the
guests who after a strenuous day, felt
Somewhat stupid. In fact with his
stories and pleasant manners he turned
what would otherwise have been a dull
evening into a successful one. BY 3
O'Clock in the morning he and the colonel
had won quite a sum of money. AT this
hour he threw down his cards for q few
minutes and roamed around the room.
standing behind first ono player and then
another watching their play. 1t was
later noticed that all those behind whom
he stood won while their opponents lost.
After making the rounds Of the room