American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-20
GAMING FOR AMUSEMENT.

MIR. Green in his remarks upon the So called
gaming for amusement tells an incident, the
substance of which we will try to give:
In 1886, MIR. G. went down the Mississippi,
on his way to New Orleans. The boat (the
Mediterranean was splendid one, and had a
large number of passengers, among whom were
many gamblers. They entertained themselves
BY playing, but the pigeons were scarce. The
boat arrived at Memphis, and rounded TO-,
touched at the wharf boat. Among those who
stepped aboard was youngma apparently of
about eighteen years. Green saw him enter
the CABIN, and noted the geneel stranger the
flash of his eye, and the elegance of his exter-
or, told him that he was full of fire and enthu-
siasm, fond Of excitement and perhaps fond of
play. He approached him and asked him if he
played.
81 have occasionally played whist, and a few
other games, merely for amusement at home
and in the rooms of the College," "Wil you
take a hand with us at Whist?n The other
assented and sat down with three sporting
gents" whom he did not suspect to be gam
s,ers They shufled dealt and played, and
soon concluded to stake quarter corner, and
make the play more interesting. They in
creased the bets they ran from the insignfi-
cant quarter 10 five dollars piece. The young
Colegian became excited and played with
great warmth. They changed the game !;
whist was too long and dull. Bragg was the
game. THIS furnished finer field for doubling
bets The young man was now playing high,
but he lost more than he won. lie had taken
his pocket book out and from time to time lost
from it, already about two thousand dollars
1t was empty. He repaired to his stateroom,
took a package of several thousands, and
brought 1t to the table. Brag was resumed !;
the passion for the game was now at its flood
in the young man. His excitement was in
tense. The blue veins of his temple throbbcd
and swelled almost to bursting. His spirited
eyes flashed and his cheek was flushed aud hot.
Yet he did not retrieve single dollar; he lost,
ever lost
The victim was drunk with excitement, he
played without reason and was almost blinded
with madness at his losses. The pigeon was
being well placked, he had laid four hundred
upon the table; twas his bet upon his hand
The clerk entered the cabin, and announced
their approach to Helena where the stranger
was to land and advised him to step to the
lower guard if he would be ready. He Jumped
up, left his bet upon the cloth, and repaired TO
the lower guard.
He changed his mind. He had fait hope
of retrieving; he would go back and play OIL
He returned, the boat resumed her course, and
he sat down to play. Before morning he had
not a cent of money; every dollar lost They
arrived at New Orleans and the three gamsters
left the boat and divided the spoils. They a
mounted to s 500 piece. Mr.. Green met
the young man three days after in the street,
He was an altered man. His eye was sckly,
his cheek was thin, haggard and very pale; he
looked like man who had not slept or eat for
three days and nights. His gold watch was
absent, and the diamond pin he had sportcd be-
fore "You have not left the city yet!' said
Mr.. q. "No, | am unable to do so for want
of money. My watch and diamond have
both gone for trifie to the pawn broker. |
would leave if ! could borrow the means
Could you lend Inc two hundred and fifty?'--
Mr. G.. by an impulse which he could not ac-
count for, did not hesitate to do so; the horrid
change in appearance, the utter desoation
which his losses had worked upon the young
man struck him, and the gambler likes not to
look upon the poor victim of his devilish arts.
He gave him the money to rid himself of the
face that would haunt him. The young man
turned upon his heel, and never saw him again.
Two wears after, MIR. G.. was sitting in the
Louisville hotel An old man entered and ask
ed him 'sif his name was Green" sit ls."
"Were YOU on board the Mediterranean two
years ago, on your way TO New Orleans" 81
was" He then recounted to MIR. U. the cir
cunstances of that night, and asked him ii ne nc,
had met the young man since. mo sIr!'
Don't tell me, no." said the old man, "dont
tell me, no; tell me where he is" 81 assure
YOU, sir, | have never seen him slnce,' SAID
Mr.. G. The old man burst into tears. "Ht
was my son, sir. That was the last we've
heard of him, I've hunted him ever since, fol
two long years, not word can | hear, not a
single trace Of him throughout the land Tel
me where, or how can find word oil him.
The old mans grief was overpowering, anc
Green could not give him single hope.
The subject did not Iecnr to his mind til
wears after; not till after he had reformed, Mr.