Hi,
"I take the long end; but I like to have at least as good a chance to win as a man learning to play poker on an ocean steamer, or running for governor of Texas on the Republican ticket. And when I cash in my winnings I don't want to find any widows' and orphans' chips in my stack."
a) What does 'I take long end' mean? It's a betting term. For example, people are betting on whether it will rain. $10,000 is bet that it will rain. $100 is bet that it will not rain. If you bet that it will rain, you are 'taking the long end of the bet'. If you take the long end, it really means that you will not make a lot of money if you win, as you usually get better odds if you bet on the short end and it wins.
Here, the writer is saying that he does not want to make large amounts of money from other people, he's not a greedy, selfish man.
b) What is meaning of 'I don't want to find any widows' and orphans' chips in my stack'? The paragraph is written in poker terms, using poker as a metaphor for life. In poker, you play for 'chips' that are worth money. If you win, the other players' chips go into your 'stack' (pile). The writer is saying that in the game of life, he does not want to 'win' (take) money from widows and orphans. He is an ethical man.
Best wishes, Clive