Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-07-23

among the rest) must cease az ~ O'CLOCK.
So 'ce preachers got very little comfort
from Captain Summons.
Up,--up,-up we went. Christmas day
arrived. All the other preachers had
holden forth on divers occasions, and ii be-
ing ascertained thatit was my intention TO
leave the boat ON her arrival at Cairo, a
formal request was preferred that 4 should
preach The Christmas sermon! The La
DIES (God bless them ally were rery W.
gent in their applications 10 me. "Oh do,
brother Smith! we rant TO hear you
preach! All The others have contributed
their share to our spiritual comfort--you
must oblige us--indeed you must" len
deavored to excuse myself the best way !
could, alledging the necessity of my leav-
ing the boat in less than an hour--my
baggage was not ready--l had terrible
cold, and many other good and substantial
reasons were given; but all in vain
preach must "WelI," thinks ], elf ]
must, must.n AT this crisis, casing my
eyes down towards the Social Hall, and
seeing an unusual crowd assembled round
a table, asked one Of the brethren
what might be going OH down there? The
latest Of the preaching gentlemen replied,
I" The poor miserable sinners have filled
the measure Of their iniquity by opening
a FARO BANK" "Horrible!n exclaimed |,
holding up my hands-and horrible!"
echoed the ladies and missionaries in cho-
rus. "Cannot such things be put stop
top asked an elderly lady, addressing the
pious travellers. 81 fear not" groaned
my Methodist contemporary, (lhe fat one.)
" We have been trying to convince the
Captain that some dreadful accident will
inevitably befal the boat, if such proceed
ings are permitted Whist do you think
he answeredr "Whal?" we all asked,
Of course. "Why, he Just said that mas
much as he permitted us to preach and
pray, he should let other passengers dance
and play cards, if they choose 10 do SO;
and that if ! didn't like the proceeding |
complained Of, l might Leave The boat! Yes
he did, and moreover he mentioned that
il was ii o'clock, and asked me il | would
not sliquor!" This announcement Of the
Captains siubbornness and impiety was
met with general groan Of pity and sor-
row, and we resumed The conversation re-
speeding tho unhallowed faro bank. SIT
is much to be regretted" remarked the ell
Derby lady, who had spoken before, " that
something cant be done-Brother Smith,
she continued, appealing directly 10 me,
and laying her fo,efnger impressively up
on my arm, "cannot you break up that
bank2" "Dear madam" ! answered,
q you know not the difficulty Of the task
you impose upon me, BANKS ARE
NOT so EASILY BROKEN UP as you ina
CINE; however, as you all appear so anx-
ious about it, if you'll excuse me from the
sermon III see what can be done.' "Ah!
that's a dear oul!"-s.knew he would
try''--" he'll be sure to succeed p" our
prayers shall not be wantingw Such were
the EXPLANATIONS that greeted me, as |
moved off towards the faro bank. Elbow
ing my way into the crowd, got near the
table in front Of the dealer, and was for a
time completely concealed from the view
of my pious friends near the door of the
ladies' cabin. found the bank 10 be a
small affair. The bctters were risking tri-
fling sums, ranging from six 10 twenty-five
cents.
"Mr. Dealer" remarked, 81 have
come to break up this bank" "The
deuce you have!' replied the banker
"let's see you do it.' "What amount
have you in bank?" | enquired. "Ele.
ven dollars" was his answer. What /:
your limii2" asked !. "a dollar" he re-
piled. "very WE'LL" said ], placing 0
ragged Indiana dollar behind the Queen
"turn on.'' He turned, and the King wor
for me. took the two dollars up, and lei
him make another turn, when replaced
the bet, and the Queen came up 10 my
fayor--I had now four dollars; which
placed in The square, taking the 5, 6.7and
!, and i. won again! Here were seven
dollars Of the Bankers money. pocket
ed three Of them, and bet four dollars be.
hind the Queen again-the Jack won, and
the BANK WAS BROKEN! The crowd dis
persed in all directions, laughing at The
breaking up Of The petty bank, and made
my way towards the ladies' cabin, whore
my new friends were anxiously awaiting
the result Of my bold attempt. aWelI
well, well,'' they all exclaimed" VIVA
successg have you done III DO lei US heal
1 about III" ! wiped The perspiration from
my brow, and putting on a very serious
face, | said solemnly: al HAVE broken
THAT nANK!'' "You havel' they all ex
claimed. aYes, I'll be- d---n if he HASN'T
muttored the disappointed gamester, The
4 keeper or the late bank, who was just 60
4 ing into his siaie-room. 10 the midst o
the congratulations which were showeres
\ upon me, | received summons from ih'
\ Captain to come forward with my baggage
we were al Cairo. [Si. Loris Rerciilc.