Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-11-12

| IootH was u sHldll Dut unique +" oar, the
counter of which, except small space
occupied by sliding door at which Gus
toners were served, was enclosed with
FURNISHED brass rods. Within this g magic
circle" stood peck marked clerk, who
yended TO the company wines and liquors
too costly to be imbibed by any but men
of fortune or games.ers, who, alternately
rich and penniless, indulge every appetite
without stint while they have the means;
eating viands and drinking wines one day,
which prince might not disdain, to fast
entirely the next, or to make disgusting
meal from the dirty counter of disgusting
eating-house. Disposed at regular inter
walls around the room, were tables for the
various games usually played; all of them
thronged with eager "customers," and CO.
vered with heavy piles of douoioons, and
dollars, and bank notes. OF these tables,
g the tiger" claimed three-for faro was
predominant in those days, when cell in
the penitentiary was not the penalty for
exhibiting it. Most of the persons in the
room were we'll dressed, and large pro-
portion of members of the legislature.-
There was very little noise, no loud swear
ing, but very deep playing.
As Simon entered, he made his rustic
bow, and in an easy, familiar way, salut-
ed the company with
:" Good evenin' gentlemen"
No one seemed inclined to acknowledge,
on behalf of the company, their pleasure
at seeing Capt. Suges. Indeed, nobody
appeared TO notice him at all after the first
half second. The Captain, therefore, re-
peated his salutation:
6 say, GOOD EvENIN', gentlemenr %
Notwithstanding the emphasis with which
the words were re-spoken, there was only
slight laugh from some of The company,
and the Captain began to feel a little awk-
ward standing up before so many s'ran-
gers. While he was hestating whether
to begin business at once by walking M
TO one OF the faro tables and commencing
the fght," he overheard young man
standing few feet from him say to ano-
Their, :" Jim, isn't that your uncle, General
| Wltherspo0n, who has been expected here
! for several days with large drove Of hogs?"
by Jupiter" said the person address
ed, 81 believe 1t is; though I'm not certain,
as I've not seen him since was lille
fellow. But what makes you think it's
him; you never saw him?"
No, but he suits the description given
of your uncle very well--white hair, red
eyes, wide mouth. and 50 forth. Does
your uncle gamble?"
"They say he does but my mother,
who is his sister, knows hardly any more
about him than the rest of the world. I'll
be DID, he added, looking sieadiastly at
Simon, " if that isn't he! He's as rich
as mud, and ovial old cock of bachelor,
so | must claim kin with him.
| Simon could, Of course have no reason
able objection TO being believed to be Ge
neral Thomas Wi,herspoon, the rich dro-
yer from kentucky. Not he! The idea
pleased him excessively, and he determih-
ed if he was not respected as General
| Thomas Witherspoon for the remainder of
that evening, it should be somebody else's
fault" not his! In few minutes, indeed,
ii was whispered through the company that
the red-eyed man with white hair, was the
wealthy field officer who drove swine to
increase his fortune and in consequence
of this, Simon thought he discovered a We
ry considerable Improvement in the way
of politeness on the part of all present.--
The bare suspicion that he was rich, was
sufficient TO induce Difference and atten-
ton.
Sauntering up to faro bank with the
intention of betting, while his money should
hold Out, with the spirit and liberality which
General WitAerspoon would have display
ed had he he been personally present, he
called for
Twenty dollar checks, and that
| pretty toloble id qnick!''
The dealer handed him the red checks,
and he piled them upon The ten.
Grind onp' said Simon.
4 card or Two was dealt, and the keep
er with profound bow, handed him twen-
ty more red checks.
Deal away,' said Simon. heaping the
additional checks on the Same card.
Again the cards flew from the little box,
and again Simon won.
Several persons were now overlooking
the game; and among the rest, the young
man who was so happy as TO be the ne
phew of General Witherspoon.
g The old codger has nerve; III be id
if he hasn't" SAID one.
I" And money toe" said another, 6 from
the way he bets" m
"To be sure he has, said a third /;
+" that's the rich hog droyer fron Ken
4 lucky" r
By this time Simon had won seven hum
bred dollars. But the Captain was not al
all disposed to,discontinue. Nown he
thought was the 'sgolden moment in which
to press his luck enow ~ the hour of the