Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-03-21

One night, during the late extremk cold
weather, at one Of the places known -
"cat-ish hotels" for which our levee isso
celebrated, and which are generally fire.
quented by that class Of persons who come
under the heads Of sloafrrs" and a,whsTf.
rats"--there sat SOLITARY and alone, Al in
dividnal whose manners betokeDed that
he WIS not accustomed 10 enjoying his
own society. The atmosphere OF the bar
room was fedolent Of ,he fumes f that
nectar Of GROCERIES, yclept Tom-and-J Jerry.
and the candles she'd mellow Light through
the smoke that had. been unused by, ihs
number Of long mines which had been
consumed by former visitors. Our friend,
though inditferently well dressed, ,bpre
about him that Understandable air which i'm
presses every observer will, the idea Of ,
sae!'ow who would s,oop TO any low tvielk
10 enttap the unwary. tie had been ia (
the habit for some time back, by his
"science" OF winning whatever dimes OF
hali-dimes any one could be induced 70
stake. On this night, lie had had no c,is44
tomers--iunds were iow--the night was
wearing away--and Ne WAS about to Dc. \
plrt When there, entered. long dangling
looking fellow, with straight fax locks,
an old WOO! hat SIT far back on his head;
and month which though capacious
enough had by accident, or a freak Of %.
ture, been placed more on the side Of his
face than in front. He was dressed in linz.
sey dyed Of a dirty yellow color, and his
''tfowserloons," whose lower extremities
only reached the top OF his socks, gave
him the appearance Of being taller than he
really was, although he stood full six feet
in his stocking. After warming himself,
he called for. some liquor, in a voice which
coming through his nose, sounded Hike the
tones Of a toy hafmonicon.s His whole ap-
pearance was that Of a ''gfsen un.n"r .isIxs
The Thimblerigger, set him down -
2 "solt snap" and alter some convcrsa-
ton, remarked 1919 IL IS y III
swell, stranger, It's cold and dark QUIT
suppose We play some small game 10 pass,
away the time;" at the same time lingering
a dirty pack, Of cards that lay On The table ;
BY which he Was sitting. Linsey re-
piled aH Ts.4 $500 lhto 60
Il can't say, stranger; I'm all the sea1
from Bulliit, and I've hearn tell yo,r folksI
in town are as keen as briars, and I'm on-,
~ cider nae; howsoever ! don't care Il
| do play, purvided I know al about i. be-
iorehand," .se9Aisit = aaih z aFfs % fsii
| .;,That's right says tiiiimnbisiig, ssws
play fair, with all the advantages ip,i and
if you beat me, Why well and good. and
there's no more Of it,
o4s Well, them terms is fair enough, and [
amt the Teller to cavort or make q lusss
when | agree TO thing frcm the START"
says Linsey, "what'll yon. playl"'
I "What say you to seven up at dollar,
4. sa,ne?" replied thimblerig, his .cyes
glis'ening with the certainty Of making bis,
expenses. !. u
1 IA word Of the SORTS enough; Old iossi
put up your money" says Linsey, u the
same time Juggling al long leather purse
which he had in lis pocket. Thimbleri&
laid down dollar, which he had nj soon-.
er done than Linsey, coolly put Il in his
pocket saying "weH that games done,
what'll you play next2" 1aiis iglrsq gG3Y
"But,n says Thinbleris. "we'vs. not
played for the dollar YETI ~sa, y;.. ,...,
eyes we have; played the advantage,
fist lead, stealins was in, you know" !,
The gambler was beat al His own ganae;.
and not liking the looks Of the .sbitter wa
ter CHAPS" quietly submitted TO his loss. LA