The Washingtonian., 1845-07-26

stion OF sugar, water, and nutmeg, with an oc- t
casional, dash of bitters to make it look natu-
ral Your regular blackleg never drinks strong
liquor when professionally engaged. }a gaga
"Oh, this is getting dull,,' says "leg" No. 4;
"let's make up a little game Of poker, plea
yune ante" Es '-A.@
"Tm agreed says ''leg" No. 3. No. 3 held
back until the pigeon began to urge him, as
he didn't care about playing with less than
four s
Now commenced the real business of the
night, and they continued it until they feeced
the unsuspecting victim out of some forty or
fifty dollars. He then concluded to quit, and
retired TO his state room, while the confederates
withdrew into a corner and divided the spoil
This was their last haul on this boat, as the
captain, having learnt the facts Of the case,
gave the gentlemen hint that it would be
expedient to leave, which they did at the next
wood yard, there to wait for another boat and
another victim. iii ,s1asn ita isg...H
This practice of gambling on the boats, has
diminished very much since my first acquaint-
ance with the riyer-so that such exhibitions
as the one have narrated, though formerly
an every day affair, are now of rare occurrence.
have heard, from an eye witness, an anu
sing incident in which one B., notorious gam
bier now residing in ST. Louis, was the prin-
cipal actor. He is a small, quiet modest
looking man, and was at the time of the soc-
currence to whichI refer, young in years,
though an old hand at the business. 1t was
his first appearance on the western waters.
On the boat where he happened to be, were
three or four cold customers" not professed
gamesters, who were gambling constantly
among themselves. All Of them were men Of
considerable property and standing, though Of
course of rather loose habits. B. seemed to
take great interest in watching the game, so
much so that he attracted the attention of
Capt. H., one Of the players, a retired steam
boat captain, one Of the owners of the boat on
which they were, and up to all the tricks of
the river. "Young man." said Capt. H., "you
seem to be very fond Of looking at this game,
do you ever play it?" eyes, sir, used to
play poker little in Connecticut" "Bad
practice-bad practice, young man; let me ad-
wise you never to play poker, it takes an older
head than you're got" ':Let the young man
have hand if he wants one," said another of
the party, wnking to Captain H.; :" if he will
learn the game, he'd better learn of us. it'll
cost him less than if some of these blacklegs
get hold of him." B. said he had $50, but he
wasn't afraid to risk that. He took seat at
the table, and they dealt him hand. II Itwasn't
long before, as was anticipated by all who saw
him commence he was broke, and compelled
to take "back seat'
"Serves you right, young man, serves you
right" said Capt. H., II told you it took an
old head TO play the game; take my advice,
never play poker again." =. '7a
The following day the same parties were
playing as usual. B. was looking on, taking
as much interest as ever.
"Well, young man," said Capt. H., i" sup
pose you got good lesson yesterday, and wont
burn your fingers again."
B. replied that he had no more money, but
if he could get any one to advance him fifty
dollars on his gold watch and chain, he should
like to have chance to get back what he'd
lost. The watch was valuable, and some one
advanced him the money on il. He took
seat at the table, and called for a hand.
"You'll lose every dollar of your money,
young man." said Capt H., "but if you are
determined to take another lesson it is your
lookout" ~ 's# t.,ae2a
They played until towards morning, atwhich
time B. had broke" the whole party, winning
twenty seven hundred and fifty dollars As
they left the table, exclaiming against their
bad luck, B. put his thumb on his nose, and
making a gyration with his fingers, remarked
to Captain H., "Serves you right, old gentle
man, serves you right; take my advice and
never play poker again, you are getting too
old, and ought to be turning your attention 10
other matters" ea8g ,fahHa4bg Il, 81 ,3t
This is said to have been Capt. HIS last
game of poker. II leaked out afterwards that
B. had supplied the barkeeper Of the boat with
sundry packs of cards, manufactured with
marks on the backs, expressly for him, and
these were furnished TO the playe from time
to time as they were called for. OF course b.