Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-06-27
From the Ncw Orleans, Picayune.
FUN ON BOARD A MBOAT.

Playing a strong game with Poker Player
Not long since gambler had o gam
played upon him by the deck hands aa,
hrcmen on board one of our Western stcam
ers-a game even stronger than that piaye,
by our Second Municipality on this class o
the community in New Orleans.
IL seems that he had made out 10 "strik,
up small! game" Of poker with some of th,
deck hands, and that, by dint OF cheating
putting up the cards, and other tricks knowI
Only 10 those up TO, and who make a Twins
by, handling the papers" he had transfer,
red nearly oil the surplus revenue iron
their pockets into his own. He "cut nd
shuified" TO all appearance fair Tor some
time, but was finally caught at some trick
which al once led the honest stea m boat ,n.r
INTO The secret of show The thing WINS done, ~
and proved that they had lost their mon ey
6y any other than the "clean thing"
The game, as q matter of course, was
blocked at once, and demonstI alton imme
diaiely made, that the gambler should fork
over his i'll gotten gains. This he fatty re.
fused To do-said that he had won the money
iair, anu that he was very clear of parting
with what he had come honestly by. They
still persisted, and he still refused.
The boa! at length stopped 10 wood w hen
The men finding il useless 10 attempt reg ain.
ing their money by fair means resorled 10
plan which The gambler undoubtedly lhoush
foul. Having gained the consent OF the en-
gIneer 10 use the engine for a short time,
they o'th"iih put plan IN execution-a
plan rather bordering IN that code of laws
generally known as coming under the espe-
ciai Jurisdiction of Judge Lynch.
They in the first place made an end OF
rope fast round The neck OF the wondering
gambler, while the other wns tied to tho end
OF the piston rod, allowing him only two or
three feet Of slack. They told him that I'm,
less he shelled out their money instantly
they would work the engine, and at the
same time that they were not RESPOND bic for
any injury he might sustain. 10th 10 give
up his gains, the fellow cast one look al the
new system OF ex,ortion, cooily calculated
his chances, and then told them "they might
work away and be d-d.''
No sooner said Than done and the gam.
bier was Immediately seen fret chasing the
piston rod upon all fours, and then back ing
out OF its way. His eye all the time was as
FIRMLY set upon the rod as ever that of Herr
Cline or Gabriel Ravel was upon the tight
rope. Alter working for ard and back
several times, one of hs tormentors nsked
him,
"Dont you think il best TO hand oyef?"
Don't bother me" reioried the gambler.
you'll get sick of that fun" said snoth-
er Of the bostnieB, as he WAC fo!ioHin The
piston rod up in the attitude OF bear.
"Not as you knows on" rejoined the
gambler, as he backed out OF its way.
Ia this way they ran upon the poor fellow
tor some time bo still manifestsd an un-
willingness 10 give up the spoiIs BY this
time all The cabin passengers had heard of
the fun going on below, and went 10 witness
1t. Alter few moments respite, the engine
was again 90, in motion, and the gambler a,
long with il. The laugh from the hyslan.
ders was boisleIous and hearty in the ex.
treme, as the poor fellow, intent upon moth.
ing but his own safety, followed the piston
rod up TO prevent his neck being jerked eff,
and then backed out Of its way TO avoid be.
ing fairly ran over and crushed. We can
lIken bis looks and actions TO nothing save
an old bear being drogged up TO some point
against his will and backing uul the moment
a foot of slack was given him or else 10
savage and hungry bull dog with rope
round his neck, fiercely -endeavoring 10 get
at some prey and then being dragged back
the moment bis mouth nss opened 10 secure
il.
Fire, and fall back" was heard from an
individual in the crowd.
Root hog, or die" came from another.
"Fwig him-only look !" says one.
"Here he goes, there he goes," said sec.
ond.
cha ha, he he, hi hi. no ho,'' laughs a.
mother.
"Aiht he in pretty fix" cried still a
third.
"Servos him right" says fourth.
Good enough for him." SAID fifth, the
piston rod aas1he while keeping him in full
exercise, with the perspira,ion rolling down
his checks in streams.
"Ant yon most ready TO hand over now"
said one of The plucked deck hands.
"Dont bother me, l say" retorted the
gamtler, eff you do, I'll lose my lick"
"Won't you giye up the money Z" said !,
mother Of those whom he had feeced.
eff do, do; but III do, Pm DID,"
continued the companion OF the rod. "I've
got the hang of this gsme-understand the
principles OF this machinery now, and you
may work me from one end Of the Missis-
sippi 10 the other before I'll give up the frs
red cent-that you may.
The gambler was worked in this way IN,
I'll The boat was ready 10 start, without
nlOching or showing any disposition 10 give
UP. Considering that they had got the
worth Of their money out Of him in the shane
oil Ion, and that he bad worked hard and al
iorded sufficient amusement 10 more tba n
compensate for their odds and picsyunos,
the engine was stopped, and the man lei
loose.
Alter putting, and blowi ing, and wipine
the perspiraiion from bis face, the gambler
looked al his tormeniors with D self satisfied
air, and exclaimed "You can't come it o.
yer this child with any of YOUR commuD
games. Pve stood three pluck once too oft.