Judge — August 15, 1931 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE ORIGIN OF Dealt by Gurney Williams Tt next time you shuffle a pack of cards, just remember that if. it hadn't been for King Sidney IL of Kleptomania you'd still be | playing dominoes or lotto, for Sidney was the originator of our present-day playing cards. If you don’t remember it, why you won't, that's all. As every schoolboy Kleptomania d nowhere on any map I know of, which makes it safe for me to pro- knows, is loca’ ike nvention, rds were developed pure- ly by acei One day Sidney wandered into a Kleptomanian_ print- ng shop and heard a customer order fifty calling cards. The King didn't know what they were, but being withal quick fifty, too,” and disappeared. ‘The printer did not recognize his King; moreover, he -so whe “Ha! curious erstood the order y called a few later he was handed a small package containing fifty-two plain cards, com- plete with joker (or bill for two dol- lars). ‘The idea of blank cards pleased the King, who always strived to re- main incog., and he put thirteen cards in the pocket of cach of his four coats, thus dividing, for all time, the pack into four suits. ter in the week, sa y, he and some friends got to- r for a quiet game of something or other, but the King’s old aunt, Thursday or How the Royal Flush started! T caught you short- suited!” laughed the Queen. PLAYING CARDS Cut by George Lichtenstein Minnie, kept interfering so much that the game went to pot. Finally the harassed King ordered her to be hung. So they tied a rope around her neck, the King said “Auntie up!” and the game was resumed. Sidney, however, lost his zest for play and took to serib- bling moodily on his blank cards while his guests enjoyed them- selves. By the end of the evening he had drawn all kinds of pictures. There were queens, entwined hearts, diamon the word “Deuc and drawings of the thir- teen clubs of which he was a member. When he had assem- bled all the cards, he was amazed to note the resemblance be- tween them and the cards we use today. Without a moment's hesitation, he invent- ed Poker, Bric Red Dog, Solitaire, Spit in the Ocean, and a host of other games over which men became bleary- eyed and women talkative. ING SipNey's drawing room soon beeame the mecca of sports, but it wasn't long false friends be- gan to borrow all his money. “Sidney lends money to everybod. they whispered among themselves, and “Sidney lends” soon bee: yword among Kleptomanian Poor Sidney soon gambl his. possessions, including his clothes, and it wasn't long before he was short-suited. Realizing that he was facing ruin, he summoned his faith ful servant, Otto, who had length and strength, and told him to clear the palace. Otto led out the fourth highest, but the rest—who were the aces of cads—refused to go, so Otto made seve grand slams and fin ished by with a spade. cried the King. aces?" “You're a trump!” “How were the “Easy,” grinned Otto. “What's trump, anyway?" But the King just smiled br; nd gave Otto a raise for doing as he was bid. That was Sidney’s last act. He had lost everything, and although he had a Queen, Jack, and three lit- tle ones he passed on, leaving his family nothing but a kitten that simply littered up the palace. The least you can do is fecd the kitty. shuffling” out the cards | CONTRACT BRIDGE For the past two or three years more and more Auction players have been converted to Contract. Once you play the the old one seems tome. While Contract has been proclaimed a most intricate new game game, it is in reality no more difficult than Auction. Sidney S. Lenz, National and International Bridge Chompion, in his new book— "MY SYSTEM OF CONTRACT BIDDING" (3rd. Edition) “The One-Two-Three System of Bidding” Explains in simple, logical ond conclusive manner the fine points of the game as follows: Synop- sis of Laws, Quick Tricks and Probable Tricks, Demand Bids, The Bids Illustrated, Slam Bid- ding, Skill, Luck and Psychology, Assisting and Camouflage Bids, The Vanderbilt Club, The Big Stick and Little Joker, The Chal- lenge, Summary and Questions Answered. The book is designed in pocket size—it may easily be carried in one’s pocket while traveling. JUDGE PUBLISHING CO., INC. 18 East 48th Street New York, N.Y. Please send me...... copies of “My System of Contract Bidding” (Third Edition), by Sidney S. Lenz. $1.10 per copy, including shipping. | om enclosing $ Send C.0.D. at $1.10 per copy. Parcel Post collect... copies of “My System of Contract Bidding” (Third Edition), by Sidney S. Lenz. NAME... ADDRESS. CITY STATE... comicbooks.com